Copper underpotential deposition at high index single crystal surfaces of Au

Electro-Design of Bimetallic PdTe Electrocatalyst for Ethanol Oxidation: Combined Experimental Approach and Ab Initio Density Functional Theory (DFT)-Based Study

An alternative electrosynthesis of PdTe, using the electrochemical atomic layer deposition (E-ALD) method, is reported. The cyclic voltammetry technique was used to analyze Au substrate in copper (Cu²⁺), and a tellurous (Te⁴⁺) solution was used to identify UPDs and set the E-ALD cycle program. Results obtained using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques reveal the nanometer-sized flat morphology of the systems, indicating the epitaxial characteristics of Pd and PdTe nanofilms. The effect of the Pd:Te ratio on the crystalline structure, electronic properties, and magnetic properties was investigated using a combination of density functional theory (DFT) and X-ray diffraction techniques. Te-containing electrocatalysts showed improved peak current response and negative onset potential toward ethanol oxidation (5 mA; -0.49 V) than Pd (2.0 mA; -0.3 V). Moreover, DFT ab initio calculation results obtained when the effect of Te content on oxygen adsorption was studied revealed that the d-band center shifted relative to the Fermi level: -1.83 eV, -1.98 eV, and -2.14 eV for Pd, Pd₃Te, and Pd₃Te₂, respectively. The results signify the weakening of the CO-like species and the improvement in the PdTe catalytic activity. Thus, the electronic and geometric effects are the descriptors of Pd₃Te₂ activity. The results suggest that Pd₂Te₂ is a potential candidate electrocatalyst that can be used for the fabrication of ethanol fuel cells.

Probing the Surface of Noble Metals Electrochemically by Underpotential Deposition of Transition Metals

The advances in material science have led to the development of novel and various materials as nanoparticles or thin films. Underpotential deposition (upd) of transition metals appears to be a very sensitive method for probing the surfaces of noble metals, which is a parameter that has an important effect on the activity in heterogeneous catalysis. Underpotential deposition as a surface characterization tool permits researchers to precisely determine the crystallographic orientations of nanoparticles or the real surface area of various surfaces. Among all the work dealing with upd, this review focuses specifically on the main upd systems used to probe surfaces of noble metals in electrocatalysis, from poly‒ and single-crystalline surfaces to nanoparticles. Cuupd is reported as a tool to determine the active surface area of gold‒ and platinum‒based bimetallic electrode materials. Pbupd is the most used system to assess the crystallographic orientations on nanoparticles’ surface. In the case of platinum, Bi and Ge adsorptions are singled out for probing (1 1 1) and (1 0 0) facets, respectively.

Cu2+ underpotential-deposition assisted synthesis of Au and Au–Pd alloy nanocrystals with systematic shape evolution

With the assistance of Cu²⁺ underpotential deposition on the Au surface, Au and Au–Pd nanocrystals with systematic shape evolution were successfully synthesized.

Exploring the first steps in core-shell electrocatalyst preparation: in situ characterization of the underpotential deposition of Cu on supported Au nanoparticles

The underpotential deposition (upd) of a Cu shell on a non-Pt nanoparticle core followed by galvanic displacement of the Cu template shell to form core–shell electrocatalyst materials is one means by which the Pt-based mass activity targets required for commercialization of PEM fuel cells may be reached. In situ EXAFS measurements were conducted at both the Au L₃ and the Cu K absorption edges during deposition of Cu onto a carbon-supported Au electrocatalyst to study the initial stages of formation of such a core–shell electrocatalyst. The Au L₃ EXAFS data obtained in 0.5 mol dm^–3 H₂SO₄ show that the shape of the Au core is potential dependent, from a flattened to a round spherical shape as the Cu upd potential is approached. Following the addition of 2 mmol dm^–3 Cu, the structure was also measured as a function of the applied potential. At +0.2 V vs Hg/Hg₂SO₄, the Cu²⁺ species was found to be a hydrated octahedron. As the potential was made more negative, single-crystal studies predict an ordered bilayer of sulfate anions and partially discharged Cu ions, followed by a complete/uniform layer of Cu atoms. In contrast, the model obtained by fitting the Au L₃ and Cu K EXAFS data corresponds first to partially discharged Cu ions deposited at the defect sites in the outer shell of the Au nanoparticles at −0.42 V, followed by the growth of clusters of Cu atoms at −0.51 V. The absence of a uniform/complete Cu shell, even at the most negative potentials investigated, has implications for the structure, and the activity and/or stability, of the core–shell catalyst that would be subsequently formed following galvanic displacement of the Cu shell.