In Situ/Operando Electrocatalyst Characterization by X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) is vital for characterizing heterogeneous catalysts.
• It reveals active sites, electronic structure, and catalytic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review XAS principles, instrumentation, and data analysis for X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS).
• To highlight XAS applications in heterogeneous catalysis, particularly electrocatalysis.
• To showcase insights gained from XAS on complex electrocatalysts, their mechanisms, and dynamic processes.

Main Methods:

• Discussion of fundamental XAS principles.
• Review of advancements in XAS instrumentation and data analysis.
• Presentation of recent XAS applications in heterogeneous catalysis, focusing on electrocatalysis.

Main Results:

• XAS provides critical links between catalyst structure, electronic properties, and performance.
• Recent XAS applications offer new insights into electrocatalyst working mechanisms.
• In situ and operando XAS reveal dynamic transformations of catalysts during reactions.

Conclusions:

• XAS is indispensable for deciphering complex heterogeneous catalysts, especially in electrocatalysis.
• Advancements in XAS enable detailed studies of catalyst-environment interactions and transformations.
• XAS provides unparalleled understanding of electrocatalyst behavior under reaction conditions.