Electrochemical Imaging of Precisely-Defined Redox and Reactive Interfaces

Area of Science:

• Interfacial Science
• Electrochemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Electrochemical reactions at electrode-electrolyte interfaces (EEIs) are crucial for energy conversion and storage but are complex to understand at a molecular level.
• Solid electrolyte interphases (SEIs) in batteries and catalytic processes are influenced by multiple intertwined chemical and electrochemical factors, including heterogeneous active sites and surface defects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight an emerging field in interfacial science focused on precisely-defined EEIs and single-entity characterization.
• To demonstrate the application of these techniques in isolating specific chemical species and visualizing their reactivity.
• To address key scientific challenges in batteries, chemical separations, and fuel cells.

Main Methods:

• Preparation of precisely-defined electrode-electrolyte interfaces (EEIs).
• Utilization of single-entity characterization techniques to visualize the reactivity of individual components.
• Review of current state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodologies.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated the broad applicability and versatility of single-entity characterization for studying interfacial phenomena.
• Highlighted the potential of these methods to isolate the impact of specific chemical species on reactivity.
• Showcased advancements in understanding complex electrochemical systems.

Conclusions:

• Controlled preparation of well-defined electrodes combined with single-entity characterization is crucial for advancing EEI research.
• This approach will fill key knowledge gaps, improve predictive theories for interfacial processes, and accelerate materials discovery for energy applications.