1
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Parada W, Sajevic U, Mammadzada R, Nikolaienko P, Mayrhofer KJJ. Tethered Alkylammonium Dications as Electrochemical Interface Modifiers: Chain Length Effect on CO 2 Reduction Selectivity at Industry-Relevant Current Density. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:30107-30116. [PMID: 38809223 PMCID: PMC11181265 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c04632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) has the potential to be an economically viable method to produce platform chemicals synergistically with renewable energy sources. Copper is one of the most commonly used electrocatalysts for this purpose, as it allows C-C bond formation, yielding a broad product distribution. Controlling selectivity is a stepping stone on the way to its industrial application. The kinetics of the reaction can be modified to favor the rates of certain products quickly and inexpensively by applying additives such as ionic liquids and coelectrolytes that directly affect the electrocatalytic interface. In this work, we propose tethered tetraalkylammonium salts as double-charged cationic modifiers of the electrochemical double layer to control CO2RR product selectivity. A novel setup comprising a gas diffusion electrode (GDE) flow cell coupled with real-time mass spectroscopy was used to study the effect of a library of the selected salts. We emphasize how the length of an alkyl linker effectively controls the selectivity of the reaction toward C1, C2, or C3 products at high relevant current densities (Jtotal = -400 mA cm-2) along with the inhibition of the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction. Standard long-term experiments were performed for quantitative validation and stability evaluation. These results have broad implications for further tailoring an effective catalytic system for selective CO2 reduction reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Walter
A. Parada
- HI
ERN (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, Erlangen 91058, Germany
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU), Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Urban Sajevic
- HI
ERN (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, Erlangen 91058, Germany
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU), Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Rashad Mammadzada
- HI
ERN (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, Erlangen 91058, Germany
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU), Erlangen 91054, Germany
| | - Pavlo Nikolaienko
- HI
ERN (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, Erlangen 91058, Germany
| | - Karl J. J. Mayrhofer
- HI
ERN (IEK-11), Forschungszentrum Jülich
GmbH, Erlangen 91058, Germany
- Department
of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nurnberg (FAU), Erlangen 91054, Germany
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2
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Ji K, Liu Y, Wang Y, Kong K, Li J, Liu X, Duan H. Steering Selectivity in Electrocatalytic Furfural Reduction via Electrode-Electrolyte Interface Modification. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:11876-11886. [PMID: 38626315 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c00818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/18/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic reduction of biomass-derived furfural (FF) represents a sustainable route to produce furfuryl alcohol (FA) and 2-methylfuran (MF) as a value-added chemical and a biofuel, respectively. However, achieving high selectivity for MF as well as tuning the selectivity between FA and MF within one reaction system remain challenging. Herein, we have reported an electrode-electrolyte interface modification strategy, enabling FA and MF selectivity steering under the same reaction conditions. Specifically, by modifying copper (Cu) electrocatalysts with butyl trimethylammonium bromide (BTAB), we achieved a dramatic shift in selectivity from producing FA (selectivity: 83.8%; Faradaic efficiency, FE: 68.9%) to MF (selectivity: 80.1%; FE: 74.8%). We demonstrated that BTAB adsorption over Cu modulates the electrical double layer (EDL) structure, which repels interfacial water and weakens the hydrogen-bond (H-bond) network for proton transfer, thus impeding FF-to-FA conversion by suppression of the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process. On the contrary, FF-to-MF conversion was less affected. This work shows the potential of engineering of the electrode-electrolyte interface for selectivity control in electrocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyue Ji
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yuanbo Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Ye Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Kejian Kong
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Xiang Liu
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Haohong Duan
- Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- Qingyuan Innovation Laboratory, Quanzhou 362801, China
- Engineering Research Center of Advanced Rare Earth Materials, (Ministry of Education), Department of Chemistry, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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3
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Fan Y, Chen Y, Ge W, Dong L, Qi Y, Lian C, Zhou X, Liu H, Liu Z, Jiang H, Li C. Mechanistic Insights into Surfactant-Modulated Electrode-Electrolyte Interface for Steering H 2O 2 Electrosynthesis. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:7575-7583. [PMID: 38466222 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic reactions taking place at the electrified electrode-electrolyte interface involve processes of proton-coupled electron transfer. Interfacial protons are delivered to the electrode surface via a H2O-dominated hydrogen-bond network. Less efforts are made to regulate the interfacial proton transfer from the perspective of interfacial hydrogen-bond network. Here, we present quaternary ammonium salt cationic surfactants as electrolyte additives for enhancing the H2O2 selectivity of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Through in situ vibrational spectroscopy and molecular dynamics calculation, it is revealed that the surfactants are irreversibly adsorbed on the electrode surface in response to a given bias potential range, leading to the weakening of the interfacial hydrogen-bond network. This decreases interfacial proton transfer kinetics, particularly at high bias potentials, thus suppressing the 4-electron ORR pathway and achieving a highly selective 2-electron pathway toward H2O2. These results highlight the opportunity for steering H2O-involved electrochemical reactions via modulating the interfacial hydrogen-bond network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Fan
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wangxin Ge
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Lei Dong
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yanbin Qi
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Cheng Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhou
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hongliang Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chunzhong Li
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
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4
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Chen C, Jin H, Wang P, Sun X, Jaroniec M, Zheng Y, Qiao SZ. Local reaction environment in electrocatalysis. Chem Soc Rev 2024; 53:2022-2055. [PMID: 38204405 DOI: 10.1039/d3cs00669g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Beyond conventional electrocatalyst engineering, recent studies have unveiled the effectiveness of manipulating the local reaction environment in enhancing the performance of electrocatalytic reactions. The general principles and strategies of local environmental engineering for different electrocatalytic processes have been extensively investigated. This review provides a critical appraisal of the recent advancements in local reaction environment engineering, aiming to comprehensively assess this emerging field. It presents the interactions among surface structure, ions distribution and local electric field in relation to the local reaction environment. Useful protocols such as the interfacial reactant concentration, mass transport rate, adsorption/desorption behaviors, and binding energy are in-depth discussed toward modifying the local reaction environment. Meanwhile, electrode physical structures and reaction cell configurations are viable optimization methods in engineering local reaction environments. In combination with operando investigation techniques, we conclude that rational modifications of the local reaction environment can significantly enhance various electrocatalytic processes by optimizing the thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the reaction interface. We also outline future research directions to attain a comprehensive understanding and effective modulation of the local reaction environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaojie Chen
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Huanyu Jin
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Pengtang Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Xiaogang Sun
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Mietek Jaroniec
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry & Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute, Kent State University, Kent, OH 44242, USA
| | - Yao Zheng
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
| | - Shi-Zhang Qiao
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia.
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5
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Badgurjar D, Huynh M, Masters B, Wuttig A. Non-Covalent Interactions Mimic the Covalent: An Electrode-Orthogonal Self-Assembled Layer. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:17734-17745. [PMID: 37548952 PMCID: PMC10436282 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c04387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Charge-transfer events central to energy conversion and storage and molecular sensing occur at electrified interfaces. Synthetic control over the interface is traditionally accessed through electrode-specific covalent tethering of molecules. Covalent linkages inherently limit the scope and the potential stability window of molecularly tunable electrodes. Here, we report a synthetic strategy that is agnostic to the electrode's surface chemistry to molecularly define electrified interfaces. We append ferrocene redox reporters to amphiphiles, utilizing non-covalent electrostatic and van der Waals interactions to prepare a self-assembled layer stable over a 2.9 V range. The layer's voltammetric response and in situ infrared spectra mimic those reported for analogous covalently bound ferrocene. This design is electrode-orthogonal; layer self-assembly is reversible and independent of the underlying electrode material's surface chemistry. We demonstrate that the design can be utilized across a wide range of electrode material classes (transition metal, carbon, carbon composites) and morphologies (nanostructured, planar). Merging atomically precise organic synthesis of amphiphiles with in situ non-covalent self-assembly at polarized electrodes, our work sets the stage for predictive and non-fouling synthetic control over electrified interfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Benjamin Masters
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
| | - Anna Wuttig
- Department of Chemistry, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60637, United States
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6
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Zhao Y, Xu J, Huang K, Ge W, Liu Z, Lian C, Liu H, Jiang H, Li C. Dopant- and Surfactant-Tuned Electrode-Electrolyte Interface Enabling Efficient Alkynol Semi-Hydrogenation. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:6516-6525. [PMID: 36913524 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c00565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical alkynol semi-hydrogenation has emerged as a sustainable and environmentally benign route for the production of high-value alkenols, featuring water as the hydrogen source instead of H2. It is highly challenging to design the electrode-electrolyte interface with efficient electrocatalysts and their matched electrolytes to break the selectivity-activity stereotype. Here, boron-doped Pd catalysts (PdB) and surfactant-modified interface are proposed to enable the simultaneous increase in alkenol selectivity and alkynol conversion. Typically, compared to pure Pd and commercial Pd/C catalysts, the PdB catalyst achieves both higher turnover frequency (139.8 h-1) and specific selectivity (above 90%) for the semi-hydrogenation of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol (MBY). Quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants that are employed as electrolyte additives are assembled at the electrified interface in response to applied bias potential, establishing an interfacial microenvironment that can facilitate alkynol transfer and hinder water transfer suitably. Eventually the hydrogen evolution reaction is inhibited and alkynol semi-hydrogenation is promoted, without inducing the decrease of alkenol selectivity. This work offers a distinct perspective on creating a suitable electrode-electrolyte interface for electrosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhao
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Jipeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Kai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Wangxin Ge
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Cheng Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hongliang Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chunzhong Li
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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7
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Wei P, Li H, Li R, Wang Y, Liu T, Cai R, Gao D, Wang G, Bao X. The Role of Interfacial Water in CO 2 Electrolysis over Ni-N-C Catalyst in a Membrane Electrode Assembly Electrolyzer. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2023:e2300856. [PMID: 36932891 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202300856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
CO2 electrolysis is a promising route for achieving net-zero emission through decarbonization. To realize CO2 electrolysis toward practical application, beyond catalyst structures, it is also critical to rationally manipulate catalyst microenvironments such as the water at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Here, the role of interfacial water in CO2 electrolysis over Ni-N-C catalyst modified with different polymers is investigated. Benefiting from a hydrophilic electrode/electrolyte interface, the Ni-N-C catalyst modified with quaternary ammonia poly(N-methyl-piperidine-co-p-terphenyl) shows a Faradaic efficiency of 95% and a partial current density of 665 mA cm-2 for CO production in an alkaline membrane electrode assembly electrolyzer. A scale-up demonstration using a 100 cm2 electrolyzer achieves a CO production rate of 514 mL min-1 at a current of 80 A. In-situ microscopy and spectroscopy measurements indicate that the hydrophilic interface significantly promotes the formation of the *COOH intermediate, rationalizing the high CO2 electrolysis performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengfei Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Hefei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Rongtan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, P. R. China
| | - Tianfu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Rui Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Dunfeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Guoxiong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
| | - Xinhe Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Catalysis, Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, iChEM (Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials), Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian, 116023, P. R. China
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8
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Tseng C, Pennathur AK, Blauth D, Salazar N, Dawlaty JM. Direct Determination of Plasmon Enhancement Factor and Penetration Depths in Surface Enhanced IR Absorption Spectroscopy. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2023; 39:3179-3184. [PMID: 36812524 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Surface Enhanced Infrared Absorption Spectroscopy (SEIRAS) is a powerful tool for studying a wide range of surface and electrochemical phenomena. For most electrochemical experiments the evanescent field of an IR beam partially penetrates through a thin metal electrode deposited on top of an attenuated total reflection (ATR) crystal to interact with molecules of interest. Despite its success, a major problem that complicates quantitative interpretation of the spectra from this method is the ambiguity of the enhancement factor due to plasmon effects in metals. We developed a systematic method for measuring this, which relies upon independent determination of surface coverage by Coulometry of a surface-bound redox-active species. Following that, we measure the SEIRAS spectrum of the surface bound species, and from the knowledge of surface coverage, retrieve the effective molar absorptivity, εSEIRAS. Comparing this to the independently determined bulk molar absorptivity leads us to the enhancement factor f = εSEIRAS/εbulk. We report enhancement factors in excess of 1000 for the C-H stretches of surface bound ferrocene molecules. We additionally developed a methodical approach to measure the penetration depth of the evanescent field from the metal electrode into a thin film. Such systematic measure of the enhancement factor and penetration depth will help SEIRAS advance from a qualitative to a more quantitative method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Tseng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles 90089, United States
| | - Anuj K Pennathur
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles 90089, United States
| | - Drew Blauth
- Department of Chemistry, Lewis & Clark College, Portland, Oregon 97219, United States
| | - Noemi Salazar
- Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jahan M Dawlaty
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, California, Los Angeles 90089, United States
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9
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Pennathur AK, Tseng C, Salazar N, Dawlaty JM. Controlling Water Delivery to an Electrochemical Interface with Surfactants. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:2421-2429. [PMID: 36688713 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c11503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Most electrochemical reactions require delivery of protons, often from water, to surface-adsorbed species. However, water also acts as a competitor to many such processes by directly reacting with the electrode, which necessitates using water in small amounts. Controlling the water content and structure near the surface is an important frontier in directing the reactivity and selectivity of electrochemical reactions. Surfactants accumulate near surfaces, and therefore, they can be used as agents to control interfacial water. Using mid-IR spectro-electrochemistry, we show that a modest concentration (1 mM) of the cationic surfactant CTAB in mixtures of 10 M water in an organic solvent (dDMSO) has a large effect on the interfacial water concentration, changing it by up to ∼35% in the presence of an applied potential. The major cause of water content change is displacement due to the accumulation or depletion of surfactants driven by potential. Two forces drive the surfactants to the electrode: the applied potential and the hydrophobic interactions with the water in the bulk. We have quantified their competition by varying the water content in the bulk. To our knowledge, for the first time, we have identified the electrochemical equivalent of the hydrophobic drive. For our system, a change in applied potential of 1 V has the same effect as adding a 0.55 mole fraction of water to the bulk. This work illustrates the significance of surfactants in the partitioning of water between the bulk and the surface and paves the way toward engineering interfacial water structures for controlling electrochemical reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anuj K Pennathur
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Cindy Tseng
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Noemi Salazar
- Department of Chemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Jahan M Dawlaty
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
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10
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Gong J, Li J, Liu C, Wei F, Yin J, Li W, Xiao L, Wang G, Lu J, Zhuang L. Guanine-regulated proton transfer enhances CO2-to-CH4 selectivity over copper electrode. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(22)64113-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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11
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Ovalle VJ, Hsu YS, Agrawal N, Janik MJ, Waegele MM. Correlating hydration free energy and specific adsorption of alkali metal cations during CO2 electroreduction on Au. Nat Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00816-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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12
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Modulating electric field distribution by alkali cations for CO2 electroreduction in strongly acidic medium. Nat Catal 2022. [DOI: 10.1038/s41929-022-00761-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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13
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Ge W, Chen Y, Fan Y, Zhu Y, Liu H, Song L, Liu Z, Lian C, Jiang H, Li C. Dynamically Formed Surfactant Assembly at the Electrified Electrode-Electrolyte Interface Boosting CO 2 Electroreduction. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:6613-6622. [PMID: 35380035 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c02486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic reactions occur in the nanoscale space at the electrified electrode-electrolyte interface. It is well known that the electrode-electrolyte interface, also called as interfacial microenvironment, is difficult to investigate due to the interference of bulk electrolytes and its dynamic evolution in response to applied bias potential. Here, we employ electrochemical co-reduction of CO2 and H2O on commercial Ag electrodes as a model system, in conjunction with quaternary ammonium cationic surfactants as electrolyte additives. We probe bias-potential-driven dynamic response of the interfacial microenvironment as well as the mechanistic origin of catalytic selectivity. By virtue of comprehensive in situ vibrational spectroscopy, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations, it is revealed that the structure of surfactants is dynamically changed from a random distribution to a nearly ordered assembly with increasing bias potential. The nearly ordered surfactant assembly regulates the interfacial water environment by repelling isolated water and suppressing water orientation into an ordered structure as well as promotes CO2 enrichment at the electrified interface. Eventually, the formed hydrophobic-aerophilic interface microenvironment reduces the activity of water dissociation and increases the selectivity of CO2 electroreduction to CO. These results highlight the importance of regulating the interfacial microenvironment by organic additives as a means of boosting the electrochemical performance in electrosynthesis and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wangxin Ge
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yuxin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yu Fan
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Yihua Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Honglai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Li Song
- National Synchrotron Radiation Laboratory, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230029, China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Cheng Lian
- State Key Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Hongliang Jiang
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
| | - Chunzhong Li
- Key Laboratory for Ultrafine Materials of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.,Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Hierarchical Nanomaterials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China
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14
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Zhu Q, Wallentine SK, Deng GH, Rebstock JA, Baker LR. The Solvation-Induced Onsager Reaction Field Rather than the Double-Layer Field Controls CO 2 Reduction on Gold. JACS AU 2022; 2:472-482. [PMID: 35252996 PMCID: PMC8889607 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The selectivity and activity of the carbon dioxide reduction (CO2R) reaction are sensitive functions of the electrolyte cation. By measuring the vibrational Stark shift of in situ-generated CO on Au in the presence of alkali cations, we quantify the total electric field present at catalytic active sites and deconvolute this field into contributions from (1) the electrochemical Stern layer and (2) the Onsager (or solvation-induced) reaction field. Contrary to recent theoretical reports, the CO2R kinetics does not depend on the Stern field but instead is closely correlated with the strength of the Onsager reaction field. These results show that in the presence of adsorbed (bent) CO2, the Onsager field greatly exceeds the Stern field and is primarily responsible for CO2 activation. Additional measurements of the cation-dependent water spectra using vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy show that interfacial solvation strongly influences the CO2R activity. These combined results confirm that the cation-dependent interfacial water structure and its associated electric field must be explicitly considered for accurate understanding of CO2R reaction kinetics.
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15
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Banerjee S, Gerke CS, Thoi VS. Guiding CO 2RR Selectivity by Compositional Tuning in the Electrochemical Double Layer. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:504-515. [PMID: 35119260 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide to value-added chemicals provides an environmentally benign alternative to current industrial practices. However, current electrocatalytic systems for the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) are not practical for industrialization, owing to poor specific product selectivity and/or limited activity. Interfacial engineering presents a versatile and effective method to direct CO2RR selectivity by fine-tuning the local chemical dynamics. This Account describes interfacial design strategies developed in our laboratory that use electrolyte engineering and porous carbon materials to modify the local composition at the electrode-electrolyte interface.Our first strategy for influencing surface reactivity is to perturb the electrochemical double layer by tuning the electrolyte composition. We approached this investigation by considering how charged molecular additives can organize at the electrode surface and impact CO2 activation. Using a combination of advanced electrochemical techniques and in situ vibrational spectroscopy, we show that the surfactant properties (the identity of the headgroup, alkyl chain length, and concentration) as well as the electrolyte cation identity can affect how surfactant molecules assemble at a biased electrode. The interplay between the electrolyte cations and the surfactant additives can be regulated to favor specific carbon products, such as HCOO-, and suppress the parasitic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Together, our findings highlight how molecular assemblies can be used to design selective electrocatalytic systems.In addition to the electrolyte design, the local spatial confinement of reaction intermediates presents another strategy to direct CO2RR selectivity. We were interested in uncovering the role of porous carbon-supported catalysts toward selective carbon product formation. In our initial study, we show that carbon porosity can be optimized to enhance C2H4 and CO selectivity in a series of Cu catalysts embedded in a tunable carbon aerogel matrix. These results suggested that local confinement of the active surface plays a role in CO2 activation and motivated an investigation into probing how this phenomenon can be translated to a planar Cu electrode. Our findings show that carbon modifiers facilitated surface reconstruction and regulated CO2 diffusion to suppress HER and improve the C2-3 product selectivity. Given the ubiquity of carbon materials in catalysis, this work demonstrates that carbon plays an active role in regulating selectivity by restricting the diffusion of substrate and reaction intermediates. Our work in tuning the composition of the electrochemical double layer for increased CO2RR selectivity demonstrates the potential versatility in boosting catalytic performance across an array of catalytic systems.
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16
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Zhu Q, Murphy CJ, Baker LR. Opportunities for Electrocatalytic CO 2 Reduction Enabled by Surface Ligands. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:2829-2840. [PMID: 35137579 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c11500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
To achieve high selectivity in enzyme catalysis, nature carefully controls both the catalyst active site and the pocket or environment that mediates access and the geometry of a reactant. Despite the many advantages of heterogeneous catalysis, active sites on a surface are rarely defined with atomic precision, making it difficult to control reaction selectivity with the molecular precision of homogeneous systems. In colloidal nanoparticle synthesis, structural control is accomplished using a surface ligand or capping layer that stabilizes a specific particle morphology and prevents nanoparticle aggregation. Usually, these surface ligands are considered detrimental for catalysis because they occupy otherwise active surface sites. However, a number of examples have shown that surface ligands can play a beneficial role in defining the catalytic environment and enhancing performance by a variety of mechanisms. This perspective summarizes recent advances and opportunities using surface ligands to enhance the performance of nanocatalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction. Several mechanisms are discussed, including selective permeability, modulating interfacial solvation structure and electric fields, chemical activation, and templating active site selection. These examples inform strategies and point to emerging opportunities to design nanocatalysts toward molecular level control of electrochemical CO2 conversion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quansong Zhu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
| | - Catherine J Murphy
- Department of Chemistry, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois 61801, United States
| | - L Robert Baker
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 43210, United States
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17
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Gutiérrez-Sánchez O, Daems N, Bulut M, Pant D, Breugelmans T. Effects of Benzyl-Functionalized Cationic Surfactants on the Inhibition of the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in CO 2 Reduction Systems. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:56205-56216. [PMID: 34783238 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c17303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cationic surfactants, mainly hexadecyl cetrimonium bromide (CTAB), are widely used in electrocatalysis to affect the selectivity of the reaction, specifically to inhibit the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in CO2 reduction (CO2R) systems. However, little research has been done on the modification of the functional groups present in such surfactants in order to promote this HER-inhibiting effect. In this work, the effectiveness of CTAB was promoted by substituting a methyl group of the quaternary amine for a benzyl group. This cationic surfactant, cetalkonium chloride (CKC), increased the hydrophobicity of the surface of the electrode, promoting the HER inhibition and the CO2R when HCO3- is used as a carbon source, which allows combining capture and conversion in one and the same medium, making it industrially highly attractive. By performing a detailed electrochemical characterization, we proved that the benzyl group formed an enhanced hydrophobic layer on the surface of the electrode in addition to the alkyl chain of the surfactant, showing higher effectiveness compared to CTAB. In fact, the Faradaic efficiency of the CO2R increased from 39 to 66% in saturated HCO3- electrolytes by using CKC instead of CTAB as the HER inhibitor. This opens up a wide range of avenues for research on the application of surfactants in the field of electrocatalysis, because, as proven, a selective modification of it can tune the selectivity of the reaction, adding a new variable in the design of an efficient carbon capture and utilization system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oriol Gutiérrez-Sánchez
- Research Group Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Nick Daems
- Research Group Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Metin Bulut
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
| | - Deepak Pant
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, Zwijnaarde 9052, Belgium
| | - Tom Breugelmans
- Research Group Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk 2610, Belgium
- Separation and Conversion Technology, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, Mol 2400, Belgium
- Centre for Advanced Process Technology for Urban Resource Recovery (CAPTURE), Frieda Saeysstraat 1, Zwijnaarde 9052, Belgium
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18
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Mu S, Li L, Zhao R, Lu H, Dong H, Cui C. Molecular-Scale Insights into Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2 on Hydrophobically Modified Cu Surfaces. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:47619-47628. [PMID: 34582170 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c13529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Depressing the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) to promote current efficiency toward carbon-based chemicals in the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is desirable. A strategy is to apply the hydrophobically molecular-modified electrodes. However, the molecular-scale catalytic process remains poorly understood. Using alkanethiol-modified hydrophobic Cu as an electrode and CO2-saturated KHCO3 as an electrolyte, we reveal that H2O, rather than HCO3-, is the major H+ source for the HER, determined by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry with isotopic labeling. As a result, using in situ Raman, we find that the hydrophobic molecules screen the cathodic electric field effect on the reorientation of interfacial H2O to a "H-down" configuration toward Cu surfaces that corresponds to the decreased content of H-bonding-free water, leading to unfavorable H2O dissociation and thus decreased H+ source for the HER. Further, density functional theory calculations suggest that the absorbed alkanethiol molecules alter the electronic structure of Cu sites, thus decreasing the formation energy barrier of CO2RR intermediates, which consequently increases the CO2RR selectivity. This work provides a molecular-level understanding of improved CO2RR on hydrophobically molecule-modified catalysts and presents general references for catalytic systems having H2O-involved competitive HER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijia Mu
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Lei Li
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Ruijuan Zhao
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Honglei Lu
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
| | - Huilong Dong
- School of Materials Engineering, Changshu Institute of Technology, Changshu, Jiangsu 215500, China
| | - Chunhua Cui
- Molecular Electrochemistry Laboratory, Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, China
- Yangtza Delta Region Institute (Huzhou), University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Huzhou 313001, China
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19
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Bhargava SS, Cofell ER, Chumble P, Azmoodeh D, Someshwar S, Kenis PJ. Exploring multivalent cations-based electrolytes for CO2 electroreduction. Electrochim Acta 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2021.139055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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20
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Choukroun D, Pacquets L, Li C, Hoekx S, Arnouts S, Baert K, Hauffman T, Bals S, Breugelmans T. Mapping Composition-Selectivity Relationships of Supported Sub-10 nm Cu-Ag Nanocrystals for High-Rate CO 2 Electroreduction. ACS NANO 2021; 15:14858-14872. [PMID: 34428372 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c04943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal Cu-Ag nanocrystals measuring less than 10 nm across are promising candidates for integration in hybrid CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) interfaces, especially in the context of tandem catalysis and selective multicarbon (C2-C3) product formation. In this work, we vary the synthetic-ligand/copper molar ratio from 0.1 to 1.0 and the silver/copper atomic ratio from 0 to 0.7 and study the variations in the nanocrystals' size distribution, morphology and reactivity at rates of ≥100 mA cm-2 in a gas-fed recycle electrolyzer operating under neutral to mildly basic conditions (0.1-1.0 M KHCO3). High-resolution electron microscopy and spectroscopy are used in order to characterize the morphology of sub-10 nm Cu-Ag nanodimers and core-shells and to elucidate trends in Ag coverage and surface composition. It is shown that Cu-Ag nanocrystals can be densely dispersed onto a carbon black support without the need for immediate ligand removal or binder addition, which considerably facilitates their application. Although CO2RR product distribution remains an intricate function of time, (kinetic) overpotential and processing conditions, we nevertheless conclude that the ratio of oxygenates to hydrocarbons (which depends primarily on the initial dispersion of the nanocrystals and their composition) rises 3-fold at moderate Ag atom % relative to Cu NCs-based electrodes. Finally, the merits of this particular Cu-Ag/C system and the recycling reactor employed are utilized to obtain maximum C2-C3 partial current densities of 92-140 mA cm-2 at -1.15 VRHE and liquid product concentrations in excess of 0.05 wt % in 1 M KHCO3 after short electrolysis periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Choukroun
- Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Lien Pacquets
- Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Chen Li
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Saskia Hoekx
- Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Sven Arnouts
- Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Kitty Baert
- Electrochemical and Surface Engineering (SURF), Materials and Chemistry (MACH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Tom Hauffman
- Electrochemical and Surface Engineering (SURF), Materials and Chemistry (MACH), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Research (EMAT), University of Antwerp, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Breugelmans
- Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
- Separation & Conversion Technologies, Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), 2400 Mol, Belgium
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21
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Choi MH, Jeong S, Wang Y, Cho SJ, Park SI, Ye X, Baker LA. Characterization of Ligand Adsorption at Individual Gold Nanocubes. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2021; 37:7701-7711. [PMID: 34143943 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.1c00694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) is a widely used surfactant that aids the aqueous synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles. However, the presence of residual CTAB on nanoparticle surfaces can significantly impact nanoparticle applications, such as catalysis and sensing, under hydrated conditions. As such, consideration of the presence and quantity of CTAB on nanoparticle surfaces under hydrated conditions is of significance. Herein, as part of an integrated material characterization framework, we demonstrate the feasibility of in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) to detect CTAB on the surface of Au nanocubes (Au NCs) under hydrated conditions, which enabled superior characterization compared to conventional spectroscopic methods. In situ force-distance (FD) spectroscopy and Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM) measurements support additional characterization of adsorbed CTAB, while correlative in situ AFM and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements were used to evaluate sequential steps of CTAB removal from Au NCs across hydrated and dehydrated environments, respectively. Notably, a substantial quantity of CTAB remained on the Au NC surface after methanol washing, which was detected in AFM measurements but was not detected in infrared spectroscopy measurements. Subsequent electrochemical cleaning was found to be critically important to remove CTAB from the Au NC surface. Correlative measurements were also performed on individual nanoparticles, which further validate the method described here as a powerful tool to determine the extent and degree of CTAB removal from nanoparticle surfaces. This AFM-based method is broadly applicable to characterize the presence and removal of ligands from nanomaterial surfaces under hydrated conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Hoon Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Soojin Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Sang-Joon Cho
- Park Systems Corporation, KANC 4F, Gwanggyo-ro 109, Suwon 16229, Korea
| | - Sang-Il Park
- Park Systems Corporation, KANC 4F, Gwanggyo-ro 109, Suwon 16229, Korea
| | - Xingchen Ye
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
| | - Lane A Baker
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, Indiana 47405, United States
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22
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Bates JS, Gounder R. Kinetic effects of molecular clustering and solvation by extended networks in zeolite acid catalysis. Chem Sci 2021; 12:4699-4708. [PMID: 34168752 PMCID: PMC8179612 DOI: 10.1039/d1sc00151e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Reactions catalyzed within porous inorganic and organic materials and at electrochemical interfaces commonly occur at high coverage and in condensed media, causing turnover rates to depend strongly on interfacial structure and composition, collectively referred to as "solvent effects". Transition state theory treatments define how solvation phenomena enter kinetic rate expressions, and identify two distinct types of solvent effects that originate from molecular clustering and from the solvation of such clusters by extended solvent networks. We review examples from the recent literature that investigate reactions within microporous zeolite catalysts to illustrate these concepts, and provide a critical appraisal of open questions in the field where future research can aid in developing new chemistry and catalyst design principles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason S Bates
- Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University 480 Stadium Mall Drive West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Rajamani Gounder
- Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University 480 Stadium Mall Drive West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
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23
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Gunathunge CM, Li J, Li X, Waegele MM. Surface-Adsorbed CO as an Infrared Probe of Electrocatalytic Interfaces. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c03316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Charuni M. Gunathunge
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Jingyi Li
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Xiang Li
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
| | - Matthias M. Waegele
- Department of Chemistry, Merkert Chemistry Center, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467, United States
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24
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Banerjee S, Zhang ZQ, Hall AS, Thoi VS. Surfactant Perturbation of Cation Interactions at the Electrode–Electrolyte Interface in Carbon Dioxide Reduction. ACS Catal 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c02387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Soumyodip Banerjee
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Zhuo-Qun Zhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - Anthony Shoji Hall
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
| | - V. Sara Thoi
- Department of Chemistry, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218, United States
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