Probing CO₂ Conversion Chemistry on Nanostructured Surfaces with Operando Vibrational Spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Catalysis
• Renewable Energy
• Nanomaterials

Background:

• Electrocatalytic CO2 conversion is crucial for renewable energy.
• Nanomaterial advancements allow tuning of catalyst properties.
• Linking catalyst structure to function remains challenging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review operando spectroscopic techniques for studying electrocatalytic CO2 reduction.
• To highlight how these methods link catalyst structure and active state to catalytic function.
• To accelerate the rational design of next-generation CO2 electrocatalytic systems.

Main Methods:

• Operando Raman and infrared spectroscopy.
• Simultaneous electrochemical measurements under catalytic turnover conditions.
• Characterization of nanostructured electrocatalysts.

Main Results:

• Spectroscopic techniques identify surface intermediates and catalyst active states.
• Operando methods provide insights complementary to conventional electrochemistry.
• Direct structure-function relationships are established under reaction conditions.

Conclusions:

• Operando spectroscopy is key to understanding electrocatalytic CO2 conversion.
• This approach accelerates the development of efficient CO2 reduction catalysts.
• Rational design of catalysts is enabled by linking structure, active state, and function.