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Updated: Jan 8, 2026
Author Spotlight: Tracking Electrochemistry on Single Nanoparticles with Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Spectroscopy and Microscopy
Published on: May 12, 2023
Surface Ligands in Nanocrystal Electrocatalysis: A Double-Edged Sword.
1State Key Laboratory of Porous Materials for Separation and Conversion, Department of Chemistry, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Electrochemical and Thermochemical Conversion for Resources Recycling, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, and iChEM, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
Surface ligands on colloidal nanocrystals act as a double-edged sword in electrocatalysis, potentially poisoning surfaces or creating beneficial microenvironments. Understanding these effects is key to optimizing nanocrystal performance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
- Electrocatalysis
Background:
- Colloidal nanocrystals are model catalysts for studying structure-property relationships.
- Surface ligands control nanocrystal morphology but their electrocatalytic influence is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey and provide perspectives on the dual role of surface ligands in nanocrystal electrocatalysis.
- To explore strategies for manipulating surface ligands to enhance electrocatalytic activity.
Main Methods:
- Overview of surface-ligand chemistry, types, and binding modes.
- Discussion of ligand removal strategies (clean surfaces or carbon coatings).
- Exploration of interfacial microenvironment engineering via ligand exchange/modification and assembly.
Main Results:
- Surface ligands can detrimentally poison nanocrystal surfaces.
- Surface ligands can beneficially create favorable interfacial microenvironments.
- Ligand manipulation offers pathways to tune electrocatalytic properties.
Conclusions:
- Surface ligands present a "double-edged sword" effect in electrocatalysis.
- Strategies exist to either remove ligands or engineer their beneficial effects.
- Future work should focus on molecular-level control of ligands for rational catalyst design.
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