Hydrogen-Induced Step-Edge Roughening of Platinum Electrode Surfaces

Hydride-Induced Reconstruction of Pd Electrode Surfaces: A Combined Computational and Experimental Study

Designing electrocatalysts with optimal activity and selectivity relies on a thorough understanding of the surface structure under reaction conditions. In this study, experimental and computational approaches are combined to elucidate reconstruction processes on low-index Pd surfaces during H-insertion following proton electroreduction. While electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy clearly reveals pronounced surface roughening and morphological changes on Pd(111), Pd(110), and Pd(100) surfaces during cyclic voltammetry, a complementary analysis using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry excludes Pd dissolution as the primary cause of the observed restructuring. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations further show that these surface alterations are related to the creation and propagation of structural defects as well as phase transformations that take place during hydride formation.

Theoretical Investigation of the Adsorbate and Potential-Induced Stability of Cu Facets During Electrochemical CO2 and CO Reduction

The activity and product selectivity of electrocatalysts for reactions like the carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) are intimately dependent on the catalyst's structure and composition. While engineering catalytic surfaces can improve performance, discovering the key sets of rational design principles remains challenging due to limitations in modeling catalyst stability under operating conditions. Herein, we perform first-principles density functional calculations adopting implicit solvation methods with potential control to study the influence of adsorbates and applied potential on the stability of different facets of model Cu electrocatalysts. Using coverage dependencies extracted from microkinetic models, we describe an approach for calculating potential and adsorbate-dependent contributions to surface energies under reaction conditions, where Wulff constructions are used to understand the morphological evolution of Cu electrocatalysts under CO2RR conditions. We identify that CO*, a key reaction intermediate, exhibits higher kinetically and thermodynamically accessible coverages on (100) relative to (111) facets, which can translate into an increased relative stabilization of the (100) facet during CO2RR. Our results support the known tendency for increased (111) faceting of Cu nanoparticles under more reducing conditions and that the relative increase in (100) faceting observed under CO2RR conditions is likely attributed to differences in CO* coverage between these facets.

Bonds over Electrons: Proton Coupled Electron Transfer at Solid-Solution Interfaces

This Perspective argues that most redox reactions of materials at an interface with a protic solution involve net proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) (or other cation-coupled ET). This view contrasts with the traditional electron-transfer-focused view of redox reactions at semiconductors, but redox processes at metal surfaces are often described as PCET. Taking a thermodynamic perspective, transfer of an electron is typically accompanied by a stoichiometric proton, much as the chemistry of lithium-ion batteries involves coupled transfers of e^- and Li⁺. The PCET viewpoint implicates the surface-H bond dissociation free energy (BDFE) as the preeminent energetic parameter and its conceptual equivalents, the electrochemical ne^-/nH⁺ potential versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) and the free energy of hydrogenation, ΔG°_H. These parameters capture the thermochemistry of PCET at interfaces better than electronic parameters such as Fermi energies, electron chemical potentials, flat-band potentials, or band-edge energies. A unified picture of PCET at metal and semiconductor surfaces is presented. Exceptions, limitations, implications, and future directions motivated by this approach are described.

Screening of Carbon-Supported Platinum Electrocatalysts Using Frumkin Adsorption Isotherms

An important stage in the development of platinum electrocatalysts on carbon support is the analysis of their basic parameters. Cyclic voltammetry is an effective tool for analyzing the structural and electrochemical properties of such electrocatalysts. Using Frumkin adsorption isotherms, the contribution of the platinum surface to the hydrogen adsorption region was well described by three peaks corresponding to different crystal structures. The screening was carried out for platinum black and platinum electrocatalysts supported by carbon black, reduced graphene oxide (RGO), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and nanofibers (CNFs). For most samples, the peak contribution to the electrochemical surface area (ESA) and corresponding hydrogen adsorption energies had close values, but the parameters deviated for Pt black and RGO-based samples was observed. The dependence of the calculated peak parameters on the number of accelerated stress test cycles was used to evaluate the effect of the type of carbon support on the stability of the electrocatalyst and the structure of platinum nanoparticles. The experimental results indicate a high degree of stability and differences in the degradation mechanisms of electrocatalysts based on nanostructured carbon compared to carbon black, which are explained by differences in the metal-support interaction and corrosion resistance of nanostructured carbon supports.

In Situ Monitoring of the Surface Evolution of a Silver Electrode from Polycrystalline to Well-Defined Structures

Capturing the surface-structural dynamics of metal electrocatalysts under certain electrochemical environments is intriguingly desired for understanding the behavior of various metal-based electrocatalysts. However, in situ monitoring of the evolution of a polycrystalline metal surface at the interface of electrode-electrolyte solutions at negative/positive potentials with high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is seldom. Here, we use electrochemical STM (EC-STM) for in situ monitoring of the surface evolution process of a silver electrode in both an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution and an ionic liquid of 1-methyl-1-octylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) amide driven by negative potentials. We found silver underwent a surface change from a polycrystalline structure to a well-defined surface arrangement in both electrolytes. In NaOH aqueous solution, the silver surface transferred in several minutes at a turning-point potential where hydrogen adsorbed and formed mainly (111) and (100) pits. Controversially, the surface evolution in the ionic liquid was much slower than that in the aqueous solution, and cation adsorption was observed in a wide potential range. The surface evolution of silver is proposed to be linked to the surface adsorbates as well as the formation of their complexes with undercoordinated silver atoms. The results also show that cathodic annealing of polycrystalline silver is a cheap, easy, and reliable way to obtain quasi-ordered crystal surfaces.

Tailoring the active site for the oxygen evolution reaction on a Pt electrode

Highly active electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) are essential to improve the efficiency of water electrolysis. The properties of OER active sites on single-crystal Pt electrodes were examined herein. The OER is markedly enhanced by repeated oxidative and reductive potential cycles on the Pt(111) surface. The OER activity on Pt(111) is nine times higher in the third cycle than that before the potential cycles. OER activation by potential cycling depends on the (111) terrace width, with wider (111) terraces significantly enhancing the OER. The oxidation/reduction of the Pt(111) surface produces atomic-sized vacancies on the terraces that activate the OER. Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction reveals that the active sites formed by potential cycling are defects in the second subsurface Pt layer. Potential cycling induces the bowl-shaped roughening of the electrode surface, wherein high-coordination number Pt atoms at the bottom of the cavities activate the OER.

Interfacial Structure of Pt(110) Electrode during Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Alkaline Solutions

In alkaline solutions, interfacial cations affect the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of platinum electrodes. However, the effects of cations on the HER activity have not been previously investigated based on interfacial structures. In situ surface X-ray diffraction was performed on Pt(110), of which the HER activity is the highest in the low-index planes of Pt, at hydrogen evolution potentials in alkaline solutions, and revealed the interfacial structure of alkali metal cations (Li⁺ and Cs⁺). The interfacial structure of the Pt(110) electrode changed reversibly depending on the electrode potential. In the LiOH solution, where the HER activity was higher, the densely packed water layer in the electrical double layer acted as a hydrogen supplier. In the CsOH solution, where the HER activity was lower, the Cs⁺ cations were aligned in the missing rows of the 1 × 2 reconstructed Pt(110) surface, suggesting that the Cs⁺ hindered water from accessing the surface, resulting in a lower HER activity.

Modeling Operando Electrochemical CO2 Reduction

Since the seminal works on the application of density functional theory and the computational hydrogen electrode to electrochemical CO₂ reduction (eCO₂R) and hydrogen evolution (HER), the modeling of both reactions has quickly evolved for the last two decades. Formulation of thermodynamic and kinetic linear scaling relationships for key intermediates on crystalline materials have led to the definition of activity volcano plots, overpotential diagrams, and full exploitation of these theoretical outcomes at laboratory scale. However, recent studies hint at the role of morphological changes and short-lived intermediates in ruling the catalytic performance under operating conditions, further raising the bar for the modeling of electrocatalytic systems. Here, we highlight some novel methodological approaches employed to address eCO₂R and HER reactions. Moving from the atomic scale to the bulk electrolyte, we first show how ab initio and machine learning methodologies can partially reproduce surface reconstruction under operation, thus identifying active sites and reaction mechanisms if coupled with microkinetic modeling. Later, we introduce the potential of density functional theory and machine learning to interpret data from Operando spectroelectrochemical techniques, such as Raman spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure characterization. Next, we review the role of electrolyte and mass transport effects. Finally, we suggest further challenges for computational modeling in the near future as well as our perspective on the directions to follow.

Electrochemical preparation of monodisperse Pt nanoparticles on a grafted 4-aminothiophenol supporting layer for improving the MOR reaction

The methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) has recently gained a lot of attention due to its application in fuel cells and electrochemical sensors. To enhance the MOR, noble metal nanoparticles should be homogeneously dispersed on the electrode surface with the aid of one suitable support. In this work, 4-aminothiophenol (4-ATP) molecules which contain simultaneously amine and thiol groups were electro-grafted onto the electrode surface to provide anchoring sites, limit aggregation and ensure good dispersion of metal nanoparticles. The results showed a high density of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) with an average size of 25 nm on the glassy electrode modified with a 4-ATP supporting layer. Consequently, the MOR was improved by 2.1 times with the aid of the grafted 4-ATP layer. The electrochemical sensor based on PtNPs/4-ATP/GCE is able to detect MeOH in a linear range from 1.26 to 21.42 mM with a detection limit of 1.21 mM.

The Role of Cation Acidity on the Competition between Hydrogen Evolution and CO2 Reduction on Gold Electrodes

CO₂ electroreduction (CO₂RR) is a sustainable alternative for producing fuels and chemicals. Metal cations in the electrolyte have a strong impact on the reaction, but mainly alkali species have been studied in detail. In this work, we elucidate how multivalent cations (Li⁺, Cs⁺, Be²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Ba²⁺, Al³⁺, Nd³⁺, and Ce³⁺) affect CO₂RR and the competing hydrogen evolution by studying these reactions on polycrystalline gold at pH = 3. We observe that cations have no effect on proton reduction at low overpotentials, but at alkaline surface pH acidic cations undergo hydrolysis, generating a second proton reduction regime. The activity and onset for the water reduction reaction correlate with cation acidity, with weakly hydrated trivalent species leading to the highest activity. Acidic cations only favor CO₂RR at low overpotentials and in acidic media. At high overpotentials, the activity for CO increases in the order Ca²⁺ < Li⁺ < Ba²⁺ < Cs⁺. To favor this reaction there must be an interplay between cation stabilization of the *CO₂^– intermediate, cation accumulation at the outer Helmholtz plane (OHP), and activity for water reduction. Ab initio molecular dynamics simulations with explicit electric field show that nonacidic cations show lower repulsion at the interface, accumulating more at the OHP, thus triggering local promoting effects. Water dissociation kinetics is increasingly promoted by strongly acidic cations (Nd³⁺, Al³⁺), in agreement with experimental evidence. Cs⁺, Ba²⁺, and Nd³⁺ coordinate to adsorbed CO₂ steadily; thus they enable *CO₂^– stabilization and barrierless protonation to COOH and further reduction products.

Electrochemical Strain Dynamics in Noble Metal Nanocatalysts

The theoretical design of effective metal electrocatalysts for energy conversion and storage devices relies greatly on supposed unilateral effects of catalysts structure on electrocatalyzed reactions. Here, by using high-energy X-ray diffraction from the new Extremely Brilliant Source of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF-EBS) on device-relevant Pd and Pt nanocatalysts during cyclic voltammetry experiments in liquid electrolytes, we reveal the near ubiquitous feedback from various electrochemical processes on nanocatalyst strain. Beyond challenging and extending the current understanding of practical nanocatalysts behavior in electrochemical environment, the reported electrochemical strain provides experimental access to nanocatalysts absorption and adsorption trends (i.e., reactivity and stability descriptors) operando. The ease and power in monitoring such key catalyst properties at new and future beamlines is foreseen to provide a discovery platform toward the study of nanocatalysts encompassing a large variety of applications, from model environments to the device level.

Emergence of Potential-Controlled Cu-Nanocuboids and Graphene-Covered Cu-Nanocuboids under Operando CO2 Electroreduction

The electroreduction of CO₂ (CO₂RR) is a promising strategy toward sustainable fuels. Cu is the only Earth-abundant and pure metal capable of catalyzing CO₂-to-hydrocarbons conversion with significant Faradaic efficiencies; yet, its dynamic structure under operando CO₂RR conditions remains unknown. Here, we track the Cu structure operando by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Surprisingly, polycrystalline Cu surfaces reconstruct forming Cu nanocuboids whose size can be controlled by the polarization potential and the time employed in their in situ synthesis, without the assistance of organic surfactants and/or halide anions. If the Cu surface is covered by a graphene monolayer, smaller features with enhanced catalytic activity for CO₂RR can be prepared. The graphene-protecting layer softens the 3D morphological changes that Cu-based catalysts suffer when exposed to aggressive electrochemical environments and allows us to track the kinetic roughening process. This novel strategy is promising for improving Cu long-term stability, and consequently, it could be used as a platform to ultimately control product selectivity.

Pothole Classification Model Using Edge Detection in Road Image

Since the image related to road damage includes objects such as potholes, cracks, shadows, and lanes, there is a problem that it is difficult to detect a specific object. In this paper, we propose a pothole classification model using edge detection in road image. The proposed method converts RGB (red green and blue) image data, including potholes and other objects, to gray-scale to reduce the amount of computation. It detects all objects except potholes using an object detection algorithm. The detected object is removed, and a pixel value of 255 is assigned to process it as a background. In addition, to extract the characteristics of a pothole, the contour of the pothole is extracted through edge detection. Finally, potholes are detected and classified based by the (you only look once) YOLO algorithm. The performance evaluation evaluates the distortion rate and restoration rate of the image, and the validity of the model and accuracy of the classification. The result of the evaluation shows that the mean square error (MSE) of the distortion rate and restoration rate of the proposed method has errors of 0.2–0.44. The peak signal to noise ratio (PSNR) is evaluated as 50 db or higher. The structural similarity index map (SSIM) is evaluated as 0.71–0.82. In addition, the result of the pothole classification shows that the area under curve (AUC) is evaluated as 0.9.

Feed gas exchange (startup/shutdown) effects on Pt/C cathode electrocatalysis and surface Pt-oxide behavior in polymer electrolyte fuel cells as revealed using in situ real-time XAFS and high-resolution STEM measurements

The synchronizing measurements of both cyclic voltammograms (CVs) and real-time quick XAFSs (QXAFSs) for Pt/C cathode electrocatalysts in a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) of polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) treated by anode-gas exchange (AGEX) and cathode-gas exchange (CGEX) cycles (startup/shutdown conditions of FC vehicles) were performed for the first time to understand the opposite effects of the AGEX and CGEX treatments on the Pt/C performance and durability and also the contradiction between the electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) decrease and the performance increase by CGEX treatment. While the AGEX treatment decreased both the ECSA and performance of MEA Pt/C due to carbon corrosion, it was found that the CGEX treatment decreased the ECSA but increased the Pt/C performance significantly due to high-index (331) facet formation (high-resolution STEM) and hence the suppression of strongly bound Pt-oxide formation at cathode Pt nanoparticle surfaces. Transient QXAFS time-profile analysis for the MEA Pt/C also revealed a direct relationship between the electrochemical performance or durability and transient kinetics of the Pt/C cathode.