1
|
Gupta R, Malik A, Kumari K, Singh SK, Vivier V, Mondal PC. Metal-free platforms for molecular thin films as high-performance supercapacitors. Chem Sci 2024; 15:8775-8785. [PMID: 38873075 PMCID: PMC11168099 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc00611a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Controlling chemical functionalization and achieving stable electrode-molecule interfaces for high-performance electrochemical energy storage applications remain challenging tasks. Herein, we present a simple, controllable, scalable, and versatile electrochemical modification approach of graphite rods (GRs) extracted from low-cost Eveready cells that were covalently modified with anthracene oligomers. The anthracene oligomers with a total layer thickness of ∼24 nm on the GR electrode yield a remarkable specific capacitance of ∼670 F g-1 with good galvanostatic charge-discharge cycling stability (10 000) recorded in 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. Such a boost in capacitance is attributed mainly to two contributions: (i) an electrical double-layer at the anthracene oligomer/GR/electrolyte interfaces, and (ii) the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reaction, which ensures a substantial faradaic contribution to the total capacitance. Due to the higher conductivity of the anthracene films, it possesses more azo groups (-N[double bond, length as m-dash]N-) during the electrochemical growth of the oligomer films compared to pyrene and naphthalene oligomers, which is key to PCET reactions. AC-based electrical studies unravel the in-depth charge interfacial electrical behavior of anthracene-grafted electrodes. Asymmetrical solid-state supercapacitor devices were made using anthracene-modified biomass-derived porous carbon, which showed improved performance with a specific capacitance of ∼155 F g-1 at 2 A g-1 with an energy density of 5.8 W h kg-1 at a high-power density of 2010 W kg-1 and powered LED lighting for a longer period. The present work provides a promising metal-free approach in developing organic thin-film hybrid capacitors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ritu Gupta
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
| | - Ankur Malik
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
| | - Kusum Kumari
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Telangana 502285 India
| | - Saurabh Kumar Singh
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad Telangana 502285 India
| | - Vincent Vivier
- CNRS, Laboratoire de Réactivité de Surface, Sorbonne Université 4 place Jussieu Paris 75005 Cedex 05 France
| | - Prakash Chandra Mondal
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur Uttar Pradesh 208016 India
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Oschinski H, Hörmann NG, Reuter K. Constant potential energetics of metallic and semiconducting electrodes: A benchmark study on 2D materials. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:214706. [PMID: 38832745 DOI: 10.1063/5.0202849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Grand-canonical (GC) constant-potential methods within an implicit solvent environment provide a general approach to compute the potential-dependent energetics at electrified solid-liquid interfaces with first-principles density-functional theory. Here, we use a mindfully chosen set of 27 isostructural 2D metal halides MX2 to analyze the variation of this energetics when the electronic structure changes from metallic to semiconducting and insulating state. Apart from expectable changes due to the opening up of the electronic bandgap, the calculations also show an increasing sensitivity to the numerical Brillouin zone integration and electronic smearing, which imposes computational burdens in practice. We rationalize these findings within the picture of the total interfacial capacitance arising from a series connection of the electrochemical double-layer capacitance and the so-called quantum capacitance resulting from the filling of electronic states inside the electrode. For metals, the electrochemical double-layer capacitance dominates at all potentials, and the entire potential drop takes place in the electrolyte. For semiconductors, the potential drop occurs instead fully or partially inside the electrode at potentials within or just outside the bandgap. For 2D semiconductors, the increased sensitivity to numerical parameters then results from the concomitantly increased contribution of the quantum capacitance that is harder to converge. Fortunately, this understanding motivates a simple extension of the CHE + DL approximation for metals, which provides the approximate GC energetics of 2D semiconductors using only quantities that can be obtained from computationally undemanding calculations at the point of zero charge and a generic double-layer capacitance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hedda Oschinski
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| | - Nicolas Georg Hörmann
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
| | - Karsten Reuter
- Fritz-Haber-Institut der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft, Faradayweg 4-6, 14195 Berlin, Germany
- Technische Universität München, Lichtenbergstr. 4, 85747 Garching, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Kastlunger G, Vijay S, Chen X, Sharma S, Peterson A. On the Thermodynamic Equivalence of Grand Canonical, Infinite-Size, and Capacitor-Based Models in First-Principle Electrochemistry. Chemphyschem 2024; 25:e202300950. [PMID: 38511569 DOI: 10.1002/cphc.202300950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
First principles-based computational and theoretical methods are constantly evolving trying to overcome the many obstacles towards a comprehensive understanding of electrochemical processes on an atomistic level. One of the major challenges has been the determination of reaction energetics under a constant potential. Here, a theoretical framework was proposed applying standard electronic structure methods and extrapolating to the infinite-cell size limit where reactions do not alter the potential. Today, electronically grand canonical modifications to electronic structure methods, holding the potential constant by varying the number of electrons in a finite simulation cell, become increasingly popular. In this perspective, we show that these two schemes are thermodynamically equivalent. Further, we link these methods to capacitive models of the interface, in the limit that the capacitance of the charging components (whether continuum or atomistic) are equal and invariant along the reaction pathway. We benchmark the three approaches with an example of alkali cation adsorption on Pt(111) showing that all three approaches converge in the cases of Li, Na and K. For Cs, however, strong deviation from the ideal conditions leads to a spread in the respective results. We discuss the latter by highlighting the cases of broken equivalence and assumptions among the approaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Georg Kastlunger
- Catalysis Theory Center, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Fysikvej, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Sudarshan Vijay
- Catalysis Theory Center, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Fysikvej, 2800, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Xi Chen
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Hope Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Shubham Sharma
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Hope Street, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Andrew Peterson
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Hope Street, Providence, RI, USA
- Department of Energy Conversion and Storage, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kgs., Lyngby, Denmark
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Murke S, Chen W, Pezzotti S, Havenith M. Tuning Acid-Base Chemistry at an Electrified Gold/Water Interface. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12423-12430. [PMID: 38599583 PMCID: PMC11082902 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c13633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Acid-base reactions are ubiquitous in solution chemistry, as well as in electrochemistry. However, macroscopic concepts derived in solutions, such as pKa and pH, differ significantly at electrified metal-aqueous interfaces due to specific solvation and applied voltage. Here, we measure the pKa values of an amino acid, glycine, at a gold/water interface under a varying applied voltage by means of spectroscopic titration. With the help of simulations, we propose a general model to understand potential-dependent shifts in pKa values in terms of local hydrophobicity and electric fields. These parameters can be tuned by adjusting the metal surface and applied voltage, respectively, offering promising, but still unexplored, paths to regulate reactivity. Our results change the focus with respect to common interpretations based on, for example, apparent local pH effects and open interesting perspectives for electrochemical reaction steering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Martina Havenith
- Department of Physical Chemistry
II, Ruhr University Bochum, D-44801 Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Abdellah AM, Ismail F, Siig OW, Yang J, Andrei CM, DiCecco LA, Rakhsha A, Salem KE, Grandfield K, Bassim N, Black R, Kastlunger G, Soleymani L, Higgins D. Impact of palladium/palladium hydride conversion on electrochemical CO 2 reduction via in-situ transmission electron microscopy and diffraction. Nat Commun 2024; 15:938. [PMID: 38296966 PMCID: PMC10831057 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45096-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical conversion of CO2 offers a sustainable route for producing fuels and chemicals. Pd-based catalysts are effective for converting CO2 into formate at low overpotentials and CO/H2 at high overpotentials, while undergoing poorly understood morphology and phase structure transformations under reaction conditions that impact performance. Herein, in-situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy and select area diffraction measurements are applied to track the morphology and Pd/PdHx phase interconversion under reaction conditions as a function of electrode potential. These studies identify the degradation mechanisms, including poisoning and physical structure changes, occurring in PdHx/Pd electrodes. Constant potential density functional theory calculations are used to probe the reaction mechanisms occurring on the PdHx structures observed under reaction conditions. Microkinetic modeling reveals that the intercalation of *H into Pd is essential for formate production. However, the change in electrochemical CO2 conversion selectivity away from formate and towards CO/H2 at increasing overpotentials is due to electrode potential dependent changes in the reaction energetics and not a consequence of morphology or phase structure changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed M Abdellah
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Fatma Ismail
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Oliver W Siig
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Carmen M Andrei
- Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | | | - Amirhossein Rakhsha
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kholoud E Salem
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
| | - Kathryn Grandfield
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Nabil Bassim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Robert Black
- National Research Council of Canada, Energy, Mining, and Environment Research Centre, Mississauga, ON, Canada
| | - Georg Kastlunger
- CatTheory, Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
| | - Leyla Soleymani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
- Department of Engineering Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Drew Higgins
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chen X, Kastlunger G, Peterson AA. Fundamental Drivers of Electrochemical Barriers. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2023; 131:238003. [PMID: 38134804 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.131.238003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
We find that ion creation and destruction dominate the behavior of electrochemical reaction barriers, through grand-canonical electronic structure calculations of proton deposition on transition metal surfaces. We show that barriers respond to potential in a nonlinear manner and trace this to the continuous degree of electron transfer as an ion is created or destroyed. This explains both Marcus-like curvature and Hammond-like shifts. Across materials, we find the barrier energy to be driven primarily by the charge presented on the surface, which, in turn, is dictated by the native work function, a fundamentally different driving force than in nonelectrochemical systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xi Chen
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Georg Kastlunger
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrew A Peterson
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Cui K, Soudackov AV, Kessinger MC, Xu J, Meyer GJ, Hammes-Schiffer S. General Kinetic Model for pH Dependence of Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer: Application to an Electrochemical Water Oxidation System. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:19321-19332. [PMID: 37611195 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c05535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
The pH dependence of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) reactions, which are critical to many chemical and biological processes, is a powerful probe for elucidating their fundamental mechanisms. Herein, a general, multichannel kinetic model is introduced to describe the pH dependence of both homogeneous and electrochemical PCET reactions. According to this model, a weak pH dependence can arise from the competition among multiple sequential and concerted PCET channels involving different forms of the redox species, such as protonated and deprotonated forms, as well as different proton donors and acceptors. The contribution of each channel is influenced by the relative populations of the reactant species, which often depend strongly on pH, leading to complex pH dependence of PCET apparent rate constants. This model is used to explain the origins of the experimentally observed weak pH dependence of the electrochemical PCET apparent rate constant for a ruthenium-based water oxidation catalyst attached to a tin-doped In2O3 (ITO) surface. The weak pH dependence is found to arise from the intrinsic differences in the rate constants of participating channels and the dependence of their relative contributions on pH. This model predicts that the apparent maximum rate constant will become pH-independent at higher pH, which is confirmed by experimental measurements. Our analysis also suggests that the dominant channels are electron transfer at lower pH and sequential PCET via electron transfer followed by fast proton transfer at higher pH. This work highlights the importance of considering multiple competing channels simultaneously for PCET processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai Cui
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Alexander V Soudackov
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Matthew C Kessinger
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Jeremiah Xu
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Gerald J Meyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599, United States
| | - Sharon Hammes-Schiffer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Huang-Fu ZC, Qian Y, Deng GH, Zhang T, Schmidt S, Brown J, Rao Y. Development of Two-Dimensional Electronic-Vibrational Sum Frequency Generation (2D-EVSFG) for Vibronic and Solvent Couplings of Molecules at Interfaces and Surfaces. ACS PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY AU 2023; 3:374-385. [PMID: 37520317 PMCID: PMC10375875 DOI: 10.1021/acsphyschemau.3c00011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Many photoinduced excited states' relaxation processes and chemical reactions occur at interfaces and surfaces, including charge transfer, energy transfer, proton transfer, proton-coupled electron transfer, configurational dynamics, conical intersections, etc. Of them, interactions of electronic and vibrational motions, namely, vibronic couplings, are the main determining factors for the relaxation processes or reaction pathways. However, time-resolved electronic-vibrational spectroscopy for interfaces and surfaces is lacking. Here we develop interface/surface-specific two-dimensional electronic-vibrational sum frequency generation spectroscopy (2D-EVSFG) for time-dependent vibronic coupling of excited states at interfaces and surfaces. We further demonstrate the fourth-order technique by investigating vibronic coupling, solvent correlation, and time evolution of the coupling for photoexcited interface-active molecules, crystal violet (CV), at the air/water interface as an example. The two vibronic absorption peaks for CV molecules at the interface from the 2D-EVSFG experiments were found to be more prominent than their counterparts in bulk from 2D-EV. Quantitative analysis of the vibronic peaks in 2D-EVSFG suggested that a non-Condon process participates in the photoexcitation of CV at the interface. We further reveal vibrational solvent coupling for the zeroth level on the electronic state with respect to that on the ground state, which is directly related to the magnitude of its change in solvent reorganization energy. The change in the solvent reorganization energy at the interface is much smaller than that in bulk methanol. Time-dependent center line slopes (CLSs) of 2D-EVSFG also showed that kinetic behaviors of CV at the air/water interface are significantly different from those in bulk methanol. Our ultrafast 2D-EVSFG experiments not only offer vibrational information on both excited states and the ground state as compared with the traditional doubly resonant sum frequency generation and electronic-vibrational coupling but also provide vibronic coupling, dynamical solvent effects, and time evolution of vibronic coupling at interfaces.
Collapse
|
9
|
Mayer JM. Bonds over Electrons: Proton Coupled Electron Transfer at Solid-Solution Interfaces. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:7050-7064. [PMID: 36943755 PMCID: PMC10080693 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c10212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
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.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- James M Mayer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Menachekanian S, Voegtle MJ, Warburton RE, Hammes-Schiffer S, Dawlaty JM. Inductive Effect Alone Cannot Explain Lewis Adduct Formation and Dissociation at Electrode Interfaces. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:5759-5768. [PMID: 36862607 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c12370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding breaking and formation of Lewis bonds at an electrified interface is relevant to a large range of phenomena, including electrocatalysis and electroadsorption. The complexities of interfacial environments and associated reactions often impede a systematic understanding of this type of bond at interfaces. To address this challenge, we report the creation of a main group classic Lewis acid-base adduct on an electrode surface and its behavior under varying electrode potentials. The Lewis base is a self-assembled monolayer of mercaptopyridine and the Lewis acid is BF3, forming a Lewis bond between nitrogen and boron. The bond is stable at positive potentials but cleaves at potentials more negative of approximately -0.3 V vs Ag/AgCl without an associated current. We also show that if the Lewis acid BF3 is supplied from a reservoir of Li+BF4- electrolyte, the cleavage is completely reversible. We propose that the N-B Lewis bond is affected both by the field-induced intramolecular polarization (electroinduction) and by the ionic structures and ionic equilibria near the electrode. Our results indicate that the second effect is responsible for the Lewis bond cleavage at negative potentials. This work is relevant to understanding the fundamentals of electrocatalytic and electroadsorption processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sevan Menachekanian
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Matthew J Voegtle
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | | | | | - Jahan M Dawlaty
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Nguyen QV, Thi HL, Truong GL. Chemical Conformation Induced Transport Carrier Switching in Molecular Junction based on Carboxylic-Terminated Thiol Molecules. NANO LETTERS 2022; 22:10147-10153. [PMID: 36475760 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.2c04031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The paper demonstrates the effect of the chemical conformation of the -COOH group on the transport characteristic including conductance, rectification, and length effect in molecular junctions (MJs) formed by self-assembled monolayers of carboxylic-terminated thiol molecules. For an alkyl chain shorter than C11, the transport mechanism was attributed to a direct off-resonant tunneling of a hole carrier, located at the Au-S interface, whereas a hopping mechanism was assigned to the alkyl chain longer than the C11 chain located at the -COOH group. The hopping mechanism may be operated by electron transport associated with the breaking of the -OH bonding likely driven by a voltage. Importantly, at the C11 alkyl chain, we observed that the transport carrier operating in MJs could change from a hole carrier into an electron carrier. The result strongly proves that the chemical conformation should be considered in analyzing molecular electronics and provides a basis for the rational design of molecular electronic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Quyen Van Nguyen
- Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 11307, Vietnam
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Huong Le Thi
- Department of Advanced Materials Science and Nanotechnology, University of Science and Technology of Hanoi, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 11307, Vietnam
| | - Giang Le Truong
- Institute of Chemistry, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Cau Giay, Hanoi 11307, Vietnam
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Lindgren P, Kastlunger G, Peterson AA. Electrochemistry from the atomic scale, in the electronically grand-canonical ensemble. J Chem Phys 2022; 157:180902. [DOI: 10.1063/5.0123656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to simulate electrochemical reactions from first-principles has advanced significantly in recent years. Here, we discuss the atomistic interpretation of electrochemistry at three scales: from the electronic structure to elementary processes to constant-potential reactions. At each scale, we highlight the importance of the grand-canonical nature of the process and show that the grand-canonical energy is the natural thermodynamic state variable, which has the additional benefit of simplifying calculations. We show that atomic forces are the derivative of the grand-potential energy when the potential is fixed. We further examine the meaning of potential at the atomic scale and its link to the chemical potential and discuss the link between charge transfer and potential in several situations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Per Lindgren
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| | - Georg Kastlunger
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
- Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Andrew A. Peterson
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
De R, Dietzek‐Ivanšić B. A Happy Get-Together - Probing Electrochemical Interfaces by Non-Linear Vibrational Spectroscopy. Chemistry 2022; 28:e202200407. [PMID: 35730530 PMCID: PMC9796775 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202200407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical interfaces are key structures in energy storage and catalysis. Hence, a molecular understanding of the active sites at these interfaces, their solvation, the structure of adsorbates, and the formation of solid-electrolyte interfaces are crucial for an in-depth mechanistic understanding of their function. Vibrational sum-frequency generation (VSFG) spectroscopy has emerged as an operando spectroscopic technique to monitor complex electrochemical interfaces due to its intrinsic interface sensitivity and chemical specificity. Thus, this review discusses the happy get-together between VSFG spectroscopy and electrochemical interfaces. Methodological approaches for answering core issues associated with the behavior of adsorbates on electrodes, the structure of solvent adlayers, the transient formation of reaction intermediates, and the emergence of solid electrolyte interphase in battery research are assessed to provide a critical inventory of highly promising avenues to bring optical spectroscopy to use in modern material research in energy conversion and storage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ratnadip De
- Leibniz-Institute of Photonic TechnologyDepartment Functional InterfacesAlbert-Einstein-Straße 907745JenaGermany
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller UniversityHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
| | - Benjamin Dietzek‐Ivanšić
- Leibniz-Institute of Photonic TechnologyDepartment Functional InterfacesAlbert-Einstein-Straße 907745JenaGermany
- Institute of Physical ChemistryFriedrich Schiller UniversityHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
- Center of Energy and Environmental Chemistry (CEEC Jena)Friedrich Schiller UniversityHelmholtzweg 407743JenaGermany
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Yu Y, Tang Y, Chu K, Gao T, Smith ZJ. High-Resolution Low-Power Hyperspectral Line-Scan Imaging of Fast Cellular Dynamics Using Azo-Enhanced Raman Scattering Probes. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:15314-15323. [PMID: 35969674 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c06275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Small-molecule Raman probes for cellular imaging have attracted great attention owing to their sharp peaks that are sensitive to environmental changes. The small cross section of molecular Raman scattering limits dynamic cellular Raman imaging to expensive and complex coherent approaches that acquire single-channel images and lose hyperspectral Raman information. We introduce a new method, dynamic azo-enhanced Raman imaging (DAERI), to couple the new class of azo-enhanced Raman probes with a high-speed line-scan Raman imaging system. DAERI achieved high-resolution low-power imaging of fast cellular dynamics resolved at ∼270 nm along the confocal direction, 75 μW/μm2 and 3.5 s/frame. Based on the azo-enhanced Raman probes with characteristic signals 102-104 stronger than classic Raman labels, DAERI was not restricted to the cellular Raman-silent region as in prior work and enabled multiplex visualization of organelle motions and interactions. We anticipate DAERI to be a powerful tool for future studies in biophysics and cell biology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Yu
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Yuchen Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Kaiqin Chu
- Suzhou Institute for Advanced Research, University of Science and Technology of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215123, China
| | - Tingjuan Gao
- Key Laboratory of Pesticide and Chemical Biology of Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China
| | - Zachary J Smith
- Key Laboratory of Precision Scientific Instrumentation of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Department of Precision Machinery and Precision Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Bhattacharyya D, Videla PE, Palasz JM, Tangen I, Meng J, Kubiak CP, Batista VS, Lian T. Sub-Nanometer Mapping of the Interfacial Electric Field Profile Using a Vibrational Stark Shift Ruler. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:14330-14338. [PMID: 35905473 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c05563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The characterization of electrical double layers is important since the interfacial electric field and electrolyte environment directly affect the reaction mechanisms and catalytic rates of electrochemical processes. In this work, we introduce a spectroscopic method based on a Stark shift ruler that enables mapping the electric field strength across the electric double layer of electrode/electrolyte interfaces. We use the tungsten-pentacarbonyl(1,4-phenelenediisocyanide) complex attached to the gold surface as a molecular ruler. The carbonyl (CO) and isocyanide (NC) groups of the self-assembled monolayer (SAM) provide multiple vibrational reporters situated at different distances from the electrode. Measurements of Stark shifts under operando electrochemical conditions and direct comparisons to density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal distance-dependent electric field strength from the electrode surface. This electric field profile can be described by the Gouy-Chapman-Stern model with Stern layer thickness of ∼4.5 Å, indicating substantial solvent and electrolyte penetration within the SAM. Significant electro-induction effect is observed on the W center that is ∼1.2 nm away from the surface despite rapid decay of the electric field (∼90%) within 1 nm. The applied methodology and reported findings should be particularly valuable for the characterization of a wide range of microenvironments surrounding molecular electrocatalysts at electrode interfaces and the positioning of electrocatalysts at specific distances from the electrode surface for optimal functionality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dhritiman Bhattacharyya
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Pablo E Videla
- Department of Chemistry and Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Joseph M Palasz
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0358, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Isaac Tangen
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Jinhui Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| | - Clifford P Kubiak
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0358, La Jolla, San Diego, California 92093, United States
| | - Victor S Batista
- Department of Chemistry and Energy Sciences Institute, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Tianquan Lian
- Department of Chemistry, Emory University, 1515 Dickey Drive Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, United States
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Miu EV, McKone JR, Mpourmpakis G. The Sensitivity of Metal Oxide Electrocatalysis to Bulk Hydrogen Intercalation: Hydrogen Evolution on Tungsten Oxide. J Am Chem Soc 2022; 144:6420-6433. [PMID: 35289172 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c00825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Metal oxides are attracting increased attention as electrocatalysts owing to their affordability, tunability, and reactivity. However, these materials can undergo significant chemical changes under reaction conditions, presenting challenges for characterization and optimization. Herein, we combine experimental and computational methods to demonstrate that bulk hydrogen intercalation governs the activity of tungsten trioxide (WO3) toward the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In contrast to the focus on surface processes in heterogeneous catalysis, we demonstrate that bulk oxide modification is responsible for experimental HER activity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that intercalation enables the HER by altering the acid-base character of surface sites and preventing site blocking by hydration. First-principles microkinetic modeling supports that the experimental HER rates can only be explained by intercalated HxWO3, whereas nonintercalated WO3 does not catalyze the HER. Overall, this work underscores the critical influence of hydrogen intercalation on aqueous cathodic electrocatalysis at metal oxides.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evan V Miu
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - James R McKone
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Giannis Mpourmpakis
- Department of Chemical & Petroleum Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Warburton RE, Soudackov AV, Hammes-Schiffer S. Theoretical Modeling of Electrochemical Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer. Chem Rev 2022; 122:10599-10650. [PMID: 35230812 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) plays an essential role in a wide range of electrocatalytic processes. A vast array of theoretical and computational methods have been developed to study electrochemical PCET. These methods can be used to calculate redox potentials and pKa values for molecular electrocatalysts, proton-coupled redox potentials and bond dissociation free energies for PCET at metal and semiconductor interfaces, and reorganization energies associated with electrochemical PCET. Periodic density functional theory can also be used to compute PCET activation energies and perform molecular dynamics simulations of electrochemical interfaces. Various approaches for maintaining a constant electrode potential in electronic structure calculations and modeling complex interactions in the electric double layer (EDL) have been developed. Theoretical formulations for both homogeneous and heterogeneous electrochemical PCET spanning the adiabatic, nonadiabatic, and solvent-controlled regimes have been developed and provide analytical expressions for the rate constants and current densities as functions of applied potential. The quantum mechanical treatment of the proton and inclusion of excited vibronic states have been shown to be critical for describing experimental data, such as Tafel slopes and potential-dependent kinetic isotope effects. The calculated rate constants can be used as input to microkinetic models and voltammogram simulations to elucidate complex electrocatalytic processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert E Warburton
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Alexander V Soudackov
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Sharon Hammes-Schiffer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Deng KC, Lu ZX, Sun JJ, Ye JY, Dong F, Su HS, Yang K, Sartin MM, Yan S, Cheng J, Zhou ZY, Ren B. Accelerated interfacial proton transfer for promoting the electrocatalytic activity. Chem Sci 2022; 13:10884-10890. [PMID: 36320703 PMCID: PMC9491081 DOI: 10.1039/d2sc01750d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Interfacial pH is critical to electrocatalytic reactions involving proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes, and maintaining an optimal interfacial pH at the electrochemical interface is required to achieve high activity. However, the interfacial pH varies inevitably during the electrochemical reaction owing to slow proton transfer at the interfacial layer, even in buffer solutions. It is therefore necessary to find an effective and general way to promote proton transfer for regulating the interfacial pH. In this study, we propose that promoting proton transfer at the interfacial layer can be used to regulate the interfacial pH in order to enhance electrocatalytic activity. By adsorbing a bifunctional 4-mercaptopyridine (4MPy) molecule onto the catalyst surface via its thiol group, the pyridyl group can be tethered on the electrochemical interface. The pyridyl group acts as both a good proton acceptor and donor for promoting proton transfer at the interfacial layer. Furthermore, the pKa of 4MPy can be modulated with the applied potentials to accommodate the large variation of interfacial pH under different current densities. By in situ electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (in situ EC-SERS), we quantitatively demonstrate that proton transfer at the interfacial layer of the Pt catalyst coated with 4MPy (Pt@4MPy) remains ideally thermoneutral during the H+ releasing electrocatalytic oxidation reaction of formic acid (FAOR) at high current densities. Thus, the interfacial pH is controlled effectively. In this way, the FAOR apparent current measured from Pt@4MPy is twice that measured from a pristine Pt catalyst. This work establishes a general strategy for regulating interfacial pH to enhance the electrocatalytic activities. Adsorbing 4MPy on Pt surface promotes proton transfer at the interfacial layer, maintaining an optimal interfacial pH and promotes electrocatalytic reactions involving proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) processes.![]()
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Chao Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Zhi-Xuan Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Juan-Juan Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Jin-Yu Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Energy Materials of China China
| | - Fan Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Hai-Sheng Su
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Kang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Matthew M Sartin
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Sen Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
| | - Jun Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Energy Materials of China China
| | - Zhi-You Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Energy Materials of China China
| | - Bin Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry of Solid Surfaces, Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Xiamen 361005 China
- Fujian Science and Technology Innovation Laboratory for Energy Materials of China China
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Delley MF, Nichols EM, Mayer JM. Interfacial Acid-Base Equilibria and Electric Fields Concurrently Probed by In Situ Surface-Enhanced Infrared Spectroscopy. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:10778-10792. [PMID: 34253024 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c05419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Understanding how applied potentials and electrolyte solution conditions affect interfacial proton (charge) transfers at electrode surfaces is critical for electrochemical technologies. Herein, we examine mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) and 4-mercaptobenzonitrile (4-MBN) on gold using in situ surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS). Measurements as a function of the applied potential, the electrolyte pD, and the electrolyte concentration determined both the relative surface populations of acidic and basic forms of 4-MBA, as well as the local electric fields at the SAM-solution interface by following the Stark shifts of 4-MBN. The effective acidity of the SAM varied with the applied potential, requiring a 600 mV change to move the pKa by one unit. Since this is ca. 10× the Nernstian value of 59 mV/pKa, ∼90% of the applied potential dropped across the SAM layer. This emphasizes the importance of distinguishing applied potentials from the potential experienced at the interface. We use the measured interfacial electric fields to estimate the experienced potential at the SAM edge. The SAM pKa showed a roughly Nernstian dependence on this estimated experienced potential. An analysis of the combined acid-base equilibria and Stark shifts reveals that the interfacial charge density has significant contributions from both SAM carboxylate headgroups and electrolyte components. Ion pairing and ion penetration into the SAM also influence the observed surface acidity. To our knowledge, this study is the first concurrent examination of both effective acidity and electric fields, and highlights the relevance of experienced potentials and specific ion effects at functionalized electrode surfaces.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Murielle F Delley
- Department of Chemistry, University of Basel, St. Johanns-Ring 19, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - Eva M Nichols
- Department of Chemistry, University of British Columbia, 2036 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1, Canada.,Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| | - James M Mayer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8107, United States
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Sarkar S, Maitra A, Lake WR, Warburton RE, Hammes-Schiffer S, Dawlaty JM. Mechanistic Insights about Electrochemical Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer Derived from a Vibrational Probe. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:8381-8390. [PMID: 34042429 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c01977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) is a fundamental step in a wide range of electrochemical processes, including those of interest in energy conversion and storage. Despite its importance, several mechanistic details of such reactions remain unclear. Here, we have combined a proton donor (tertiary ammonium) with a vibrational Stark-shift probe (benzonitrile), to track the process from the entry of the reactants into the electrical double layer (EDL), to the PCET reaction associated with proton donation to the electrode, and the formation of products. We have used operando vibrational spectroscopy and periodic density functional theory under electrochemical bias to assign the reactant and product peaks and their Stark shifts. We have identified three main stages for the progress of the PCET reaction as a function of applied potential. First, we have determined the potential necessary for desolvation of the reactants and their entry into the polarizing environment of the EDL. Second, we have observed the appearance of product peaks prior to the onset of steady state electrochemical current, indicating formation of a stationary population of products that does not turn over. Finally, more negative of the onset potential, the electrode attracts additional reactants, displacing the stationary products and enabling steady state current. This work shows that the integration of a vibrational Stark-shift probe with a proton donor provides critical insight into the interplay between interfacial electrostatics and heterogeneous chemical reactions. Such insights cannot be obtained from electrochemical measurements alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sohini Sarkar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - Anwesha Maitra
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| | - William R Lake
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Robert E Warburton
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Sharon Hammes-Schiffer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Jahan M Dawlaty
- Department of Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089, United States
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Tao CP, Jiang CC, Wang YH, Zheng JF, Shao Y, Zhou XS. Single-Molecule Sensing of Interfacial Acid-Base Chemistry. J Phys Chem Lett 2020; 11:10023-10028. [PMID: 33179941 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.0c03010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Bronsted acid and base interactions are a cornerstone of chemistry describing a wide range of chemical phenomena. However, probing such interaction at the solid-liquid interface to extract the elementary and intrinsic information at a single-molecule level remains a big challenge. Herein, we employ an STM break junction (STM-BJ) technique to investigate the acid-base chemistry of carboxylic acid-based molecules at a Au (111) model surface and propose a prototype of a single-molecule pH sensor for the first time. The single-molecule measurements in different environmental conditions verify that the formation probability of molecular junctions is determined by the populations of deprotonated -COO- form in a self-assembled monolayer. Furthermore, the variation of the intensity of the conductance peaks (i.e., junction-forming probability) with the pH of the bulk solution fits well to the Henderson-Hasselbalch type equation. From the equation, a good linear relation is found between the degree of dissociation of the immobilized -COOH group and the environmental pH, providing a feasible way to design chemicals and biosensors and a detector at the single-molecule scale.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cai-Ping Tao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Chen-Chen Jiang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Ya-Hao Wang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Ju-Fang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Yong Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Xiao-Shun Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Advanced Catalysis Materials, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Warburton RE, Hutchison P, Jackson MN, Pegis ML, Surendranath Y, Hammes-Schiffer S. Interfacial Field-Driven Proton-Coupled Electron Transfer at Graphite-Conjugated Organic Acids. J Am Chem Soc 2020; 142:20855-20864. [DOI: 10.1021/jacs.0c10632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert E. Warburton
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Phillips Hutchison
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| | - Megan N. Jackson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael L. Pegis
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Yogesh Surendranath
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Sharon Hammes-Schiffer
- Department of Chemistry, Yale University, 225 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United States
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Ge A, Inoue KI, Ye S. Probing the electrode-solution interfaces in rechargeable batteries by sum-frequency generation spectroscopy. J Chem Phys 2020; 153:170902. [PMID: 33167651 DOI: 10.1063/5.0026283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
An in-depth understanding of the electrode-electrolyte interaction and electrochemical reactions at the electrode-solution interfaces in rechargeable batteries is essential to develop novel electrolytes and electrode materials with high performance. In this perspective, we highlight the advantages of the interface-specific sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy on the studies of the electrode-solution interface for the Li-ion and Li-O2 batteries. The SFG studies in probing solvent adsorption structures and solid-electrolyte interphase formation for the Li-ion battery are briefly reviewed. Recent progress on the SFG study of the oxygen reaction mechanisms and stability of the electrolyte in the Li-O2 battery is also discussed. Finally, we present the current perspective and future directions in the SFG studies on the electrode-electrolyte interfaces toward providing deeper insight into the mechanisms of discharging/charging and parasitic reactions in novel rechargeable battery systems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aimin Ge
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Ken-Ichi Inoue
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| | - Shen Ye
- Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8578, Japan
| |
Collapse
|