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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
Published on: April 10, 2018
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Microstructural origin of locally enhanced CO2 electroreduction activity on gold
Ruperto G Mariano1, Minkyung Kang2, Oluwasegun J Wahab2
1Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Nature Materials
|March 19, 2021
Summary
Bulk defects in gold electrodes enhance electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. Dislocations at grain boundaries and slip bands are key, suggesting deliberate defect introduction can improve catalyst design for energy conversion.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Electrochemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Understanding bulk material structure's impact on surface catalysis is vital for catalyst design.
- Bulk defects influence electrocatalytic materials for energy conversion, but their origins are unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of bulk defects on electrocatalytic activity.
- To elucidate the structural origins of these effects in gold electrodes.
Main Methods:
- High-resolution scanning electrochemical cell microscopy.
- Electron backscatter diffraction.
- Correlating microstructure with electrocatalytic activity.
Main Results:
- Potential-dependent electrocatalytic activity for carbon dioxide electroreduction and hydrogen evolution was mapped on gold electrodes.
- Surface-terminating dislocations, accumulating at grain boundaries and slip bands, selectively enhance CO2 electroreduction.
- Lattice deformation was observed in relation to catalytic activity.
Conclusions:
- A model is supported where dislocations enhance CO2 electroreduction.
- Deliberately introducing dislocations is a promising strategy for improving catalytic properties.
