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In-situ plasmonic tracking oxygen evolution reveals multistage oxygen diffusion and accumulating inhibition
Jun-Gang Wang1, Lifang Shi2, Yingying Su1,3
1School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China.
Nature Communications
|April 13, 2021
Summary
This study reveals multistage oxygen diffusion behaviors during electrocatalysis, uncovering an inhibition effect. A new potential scan strategy was developed to improve electrocatalytic performance by managing interfacial gas products.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Mass transfer is crucial for electrochemical gas evolution reactions in renewable energy.
- Accurately characterizing gas diffusion at dynamic catalytic interfaces remains challenging.
- Interfacial dissolved gas accumulation can inhibit electrocatalytic performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate dissolved oxygen diffusion dynamics at copper nanostructured interfaces during electrocatalysis.
- To understand the impact of interfacial dissolved oxygen on oxygen evolution reactions.
- To develop a strategy for mitigating gas product inhibition and enhancing electrocatalytic efficiency.
Main Methods:
- Tracking dissolved oxygen diffusion on a copper nanostructured plasmonic interface.
- Utilizing a programmable potential scan strategy to manage interfacial gas products.
- Analyzing the effects of interfacial gas management on electrocatalytic performance.
Main Results:
- Observed multistage oxygen diffusion: premature accumulation, spontaneous diffusion, and accelerated dissipation.
- Identified an accumulating inhibition effect from interfacial dissolved oxygen on oxygen evolution.
- Demonstrated that the developed potential scan strategy alleviates concentration polarization and enhances electrocatalysis.
Conclusions:
- Direct observation of interfacial mass transfer provides insights into gas-involved multiphase catalysis kinetics.
- Managing interfacial gas products is key to optimizing electrocatalytic performance.
- The findings offer a pathway for designing advanced electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications.
