1
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Clarke TB, Krushinski LE, Vannoy KJ, Colón-Quintana G, Roy K, Rana A, Renault C, Hill ML, Dick JE. Single Entity Electrocatalysis. Chem Rev 2024. [PMID: 39018111 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Making a measurement over millions of nanoparticles or exposed crystal facets seldom reports on reactivity of a single nanoparticle or facet, which may depart drastically from ensemble measurements. Within the past 30 years, science has moved toward studying the reactivity of single atoms, molecules, and nanoparticles, one at a time. This shift has been fueled by the realization that everything changes at the nanoscale, especially important industrially relevant properties like those important to electrocatalysis. Studying single nanoscale entities, however, is not trivial and has required the development of new measurement tools. This review explores a tale of the clever use of old and new measurement tools to study electrocatalysis at the single entity level. We explore in detail the complex interrelationship between measurement method, electrocatalytic material, and reaction of interest (e.g., carbon dioxide reduction, oxygen reduction, hydrazine oxidation, etc.). We end with our perspective on the future of single entity electrocatalysis with a key focus on what types of measurements present the greatest opportunity for fundamental discovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas B Clarke
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Lynn E Krushinski
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Kathryn J Vannoy
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | | | - Kingshuk Roy
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Ashutosh Rana
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Christophe Renault
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois 60660, United States
| | - Megan L Hill
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Jeffrey E Dick
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
- Elmore Family School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
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2
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Babar M, Viswanathan V. Modeling Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy (SECCM) in Twisted Bilayer Graphene. J Phys Chem Lett 2024:7371-7378. [PMID: 38995158 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.4c01002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Twisted 2D-flat band materials host exotic quantum phenomena and novel moiré patterns, showing immense promise for advanced spintronic and quantum applications. Here, we evaluate the nanostructure-activity relationship in twisted bilayer graphene by modeling it under the scanning electrochemical cell microscopy setup to resolve its spatial moiré domains. We solve the steady state ion transport inside a 3D nanopipette to isolate the current response at AA and AB domains. Interfacial reaction rates are obtained from a modified Marcus-Hush-Chidsey theory combining input from a tight binding model that describes the electronic structure of bilayer graphene. High rates of redox exchange are observed at the AA domains, an effect that reduces with diminished flat bands or a larger cross-sectional area of the nanopipette. Using voltammograms, we identify an optimal voltage that maximizes the current difference between the domains. Our study lays down the framework to electrochemically capture prominent features of the band structure that arise from spatial domains and deformations in 2D flat-band materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Babar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
| | - Venkatasubramanian Viswanathan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, United States
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
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3
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Zerdoumi R, Quast T, Tetteh EB, Kim M, Li L, Dieckhöfer S, Schuhmann W. Integration of Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy in a Bifunctional Nanopipette toward Simultaneous Mapping of Activity and Selectivity in Electrocatalysis. Anal Chem 2024; 96:10886-10892. [PMID: 38925554 PMCID: PMC11238158 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.4c00149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) were integrated in a single bifunctional probe for simultaneous mapping of the oxygen reduction current and the oxidation current of the produced H2O2. The dual probe is fabricated from a double-barrel θ capillary, comprising one open barrel filled with the electrolyte and another filled with pyrolytic carbon. Pt is deposited with a gas injection system (GIS) at the end of the carbon barrel. The probe integrates the advantages of both SECM and SECCM by forming an electrochemical droplet cell that embeds the Pt working electrode of the carbon barrel directly into the electrolyte meniscus formed upon sample contact from the electrolyte barrel. The versatility of the dual probe is demonstrated by mapping the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) current and the H2O2 oxidation current of a Pt microstrip on a gold substrate. This allows simultaneous localized electrochemical measurements, highlighting the potential of the dual probe for broader applications in characterizing the electrocatalytic properties of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ridha Zerdoumi
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Thomas Quast
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Emmanuel Batsa Tetteh
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Moonjoo Kim
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Lejing Li
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Stefan Dieckhöfer
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry-Center
for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
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4
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Harris-Lee TR, Turvey T, Jayamaha G, Kang M, Marken F, Johnson AL, Zhang J, Bentley CL. Optimizing Amorphous Molybdenum Sulfide Thin Film Electrocatalysts: Trade-Off between Specific Activity and Microscopic Porosity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:33620-33632. [PMID: 38888466 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c06308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Amorphous molybdenum sulfide (a-MoSx) is a promising candidate to replace noble metals as electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in electrochemical water splitting. So far, understanding of the activity of a-MoSx in relation to its physical (e.g., porosity) and chemical (e.g., Mo/S bonding environments) properties has mostly been derived from bulk electrochemical measurements, which provide limited information about electrode materials that possess microscopic structural heterogeneities. To overcome this limitation, herein, scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) has been deployed to characterize the microscopic electrochemical activity of a-MoSx thin films (ca. 200 nm thickness), which possess a significant three-dimensional structure (i.e., intrinsic porosity) when produced by electrodeposition. A novel two-step SECCM protocol is designed to quantitatively determine spatially resolved electrochemical activity and electrochemical surface area (ECSA) within a single, high-throughput measurement. It is shown for the first time that although the highest surface area (e.g., most porous) regions of the a-MoSx film possess the highest total activity (measured by the electrochemical current), they do not possess the highest specific activity (measured by the ECSA-normalized current density). Instead, the areas of highest specific activity are localized at/around circular structures, coined "pockmarks", which are tens to hundreds of micrometers in size and ubiquitous to a-MoSx films produced by electrodeposition. By coupling this technique with structural and elemental composition analysis techniques (scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) and correlating ECSA with activity and specific activity across SECCM scans, this work furthers the understanding of structure-activity relations in a-MoSx and highlights the importance of local measurements for the systematic and rational design of thin film catalyst materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thom R Harris-Lee
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Tom Turvey
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Gunani Jayamaha
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Minkyung Kang
- School of Chemistry, University of Sydney, Sydney NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Frank Marken
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Andrew L Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Bath, Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY, U.K
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton VIC 3800, Australia
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5
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Jayamaha G, Maleki M, Bentley CL, Kang M. Practical guidelines for the use of scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). Analyst 2024; 149:2542-2555. [PMID: 38632960 DOI: 10.1039/d4an00117f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) has emerged as a transformative technology for electrochemical materials characterisation and the study of single entities, garnering global adoption by numerous research groups. While details on the instrumentation and operational principles of SECCM are readily available, the growing need for practical guidelines, troubleshooting strategies, and a systematic overview of applications and trends has become increasingly evident. This tutorial review addresses this gap by offering a comprehensive guide to the practical application of SECCM. The review begins with a discussion of recent developments and trends in the application of SECCM, before providing systematic approaches to (and the associated troubleshooting associated with) instrumental set up, probe fabrication, substrate preparation and the deployment of environmental (e.g., atmosphere and humidity) control. Serving as an invaluable resource, this tutorial review aims to equip researchers and practitioners entering the field with a comprehensive guide to essential considerations for conducting successful SECCM experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunani Jayamaha
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
| | - Mahin Maleki
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Cameron L Bentley
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, 3800 VIC, Australia
| | - Minkyung Kang
- School of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, 2006 NSW, Australia.
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6
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Xu B, Meng X, Huang J, Shan Y, Qiu D, Chen Q. Revealing the Heterogeneous Bubble Nucleation at Individual Silica Nanoparticles. Anal Chem 2024. [PMID: 38319065 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c04411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Deep understanding of the bubble nucleation process is universally important in systems, from chemical engineering to materials. However, due to its nanoscale and transient nature, effective probing of nucleation behavior with a high spatiotemporal resolution is prohibitively challenging. We previously reported the measurement of a single nanobubble nucleation at a nanoparticle using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy, where the bubble nucleation and formation were inferred from the voltammetric responses. Here, we continue the study of heterogeneous bubble nucleation at interfaces by regulating the local nanostructures using silica nanoparticles with a distinct surface morphology. It is demonstrated that, compared to the smooth spherical silica nanoparticles, the raspberry-like nanoparticles can further significantly reduce the nucleation energy barrier, with a critical peak current about 23% of the bare carbon surfaces. This study advances our understanding of how surface nanostructures direct the heterogeneous nucleation process and may offer a new strategy for surface engineering in gas involved energy conversion systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binbin Xu
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiaohui Meng
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Juan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yun Shan
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Dong Qiu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Polymer Physics and Chemistry, CAS Research/Education Center for Excellence in Molecular Sciences, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Qianjin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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7
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Zheng Q, Zhuang J, Wang T, Liao X, Cheng L, Gu S. Investigating the effects of solution viscosity on the stability and success rate of SECCM imaging. Ultramicroscopy 2023; 254:113843. [PMID: 37683562 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultramic.2023.113843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Due to the capability of simultaneously detecting the morphology and electrochemical information of samples and limiting the electrochemical reaction to a range approximately the size of the inner diameter of the pipette tip opening, scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) enables higher precision local electrochemical measurement and surface material delivery and has been demonstrating unique advantages and broad application prospects. However, the meniscus droplet at the pipette tip of SECCM is equivalent to the opening radius of the pipette tip, which is usually tens of nanometers to hundreds of nanometers. The tiny meniscus droplet makes it susceptible to evaporation and crystallization, which increases the likelihood of the pipette colliding with the sample during the scanning process, resulting in the failure of scanning. In this paper, the influence of solution viscosity on the shape variation of the droplet at the tip during the movement of the pipette of SECCM was studied by finite element analysis. It is proved that the increase of solution viscosity is helpful in reducing the shape variation of the droplet at the tip during the movement of the pipette. Then scanning experiments were carried out using a flat Au substrate and Au substrates with rounded triangle and rounded rectangular convex structures as the samples. According to the experimental results, increasing solution viscosity improves scanning success rates and scanning quality and effectively lowers the MSE of the scanning results. The experimental results also show that SECCM can image at a higher speed when the solution's viscosity increases since the deformation of the droplet at the tip is less than with a typical solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangqiang Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Jian Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Tianying Wang
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Xiaobo Liao
- Key Laboratory of Testing Technology for Manufacturing Process, Ministry of Education, Southwest University of Science and Technology, Mianyang 621010, PR China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Shengbo Gu
- Key Laboratory of Education Ministry for Modern Design Rotor-Bearing System, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
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8
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Shen M, Rackers WH, Sadtler B. Getting the Most Out of Fluorogenic Probes: Challenges and Opportunities in Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence to Image Electro- and Photocatalysis. CHEMICAL & BIOMEDICAL IMAGING 2023; 1:692-715. [PMID: 38037609 PMCID: PMC10685636 DOI: 10.1021/cbmi.3c00075] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy enables the direct observation of individual reaction events at the surface of a catalyst. It has become a powerful tool to image in real time both intra- and interparticle heterogeneity among different nanoscale catalyst particles. Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy of heterogeneous catalysts relies on the detection of chemically activated fluorogenic probes that are converted from a nonfluorescent state into a highly fluorescent state through a reaction mediated at the catalyst surface. This review article describes challenges and opportunities in using such fluorogenic probes as proxies to develop structure-activity relationships in nanoscale electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. We compare single-molecule fluorescence microscopy to other microscopies for imaging catalysis in situ to highlight the distinct advantages and limitations of this technique. We describe correlative imaging between super-resolution activity maps obtained from multiple fluorogenic probes to understand the chemical origins behind spatial variations in activity that are frequently observed for nanoscale catalysts. Fluorogenic probes, originally developed for biological imaging, are introduced that can detect products such as carbon monoxide, nitrite, and ammonia, which are generated by electro- and photocatalysts for fuel production and environmental remediation. We conclude by describing how single-molecule imaging can provide mechanistic insights for a broader scope of catalytic systems, such as single-atom catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meikun Shen
- Department
of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University
of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon 97403, United States
| | - William H. Rackers
- Department
of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
| | - Bryce Sadtler
- Department
of Chemistry, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
- Institute
of Materials Science & Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri 63130, United States
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9
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Kawashima K, Márquez RA, Smith LA, Vaidyula RR, Carrasco-Jaim OA, Wang Z, Son YJ, Cao CL, Mullins CB. A Review of Transition Metal Boride, Carbide, Pnictide, and Chalcogenide Water Oxidation Electrocatalysts. Chem Rev 2023. [PMID: 37967475 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
Transition metal borides, carbides, pnictides, and chalcogenides (X-ides) have emerged as a class of materials for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Because of their high earth abundance, electrical conductivity, and OER performance, these electrocatalysts have the potential to enable the practical application of green energy conversion and storage. Under OER potentials, X-ide electrocatalysts demonstrate various degrees of oxidation resistance due to their differences in chemical composition, crystal structure, and morphology. Depending on their resistance to oxidation, these catalysts will fall into one of three post-OER electrocatalyst categories: fully oxidized oxide/(oxy)hydroxide material, partially oxidized core@shell structure, and unoxidized material. In the past ten years (from 2013 to 2022), over 890 peer-reviewed research papers have focused on X-ide OER electrocatalysts. Previous review papers have provided limited conclusions and have omitted the significance of "catalytically active sites/species/phases" in X-ide OER electrocatalysts. In this review, a comprehensive summary of (i) experimental parameters (e.g., substrates, electrocatalyst loading amounts, geometric overpotentials, Tafel slopes, etc.) and (ii) electrochemical stability tests and post-analyses in X-ide OER electrocatalyst publications from 2013 to 2022 is provided. Both mono and polyanion X-ides are discussed and classified with respect to their material transformation during the OER. Special analytical techniques employed to study X-ide reconstruction are also evaluated. Additionally, future challenges and questions yet to be answered are provided in each section. This review aims to provide researchers with a toolkit to approach X-ide OER electrocatalyst research and to showcase necessary avenues for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenta Kawashima
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Raúl A Márquez
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Lettie A Smith
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Rinish Reddy Vaidyula
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Omar A Carrasco-Jaim
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Ziqing Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Yoon Jun Son
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - Chi L Cao
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
| | - C Buddie Mullins
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- McKetta Department of Chemical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- Center for Electrochemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
- H2@UT, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, United States
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10
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Kang M, Bentley CL, Mefford JT, Chueh WC, Unwin PR. Multiscale Analysis of Electrocatalytic Particle Activities: Linking Nanoscale Measurements and Ensemble Behavior. ACS NANO 2023; 17:21493-21505. [PMID: 37883688 PMCID: PMC10655184 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Nanostructured electrocatalysts exhibit variations in electrochemical properties across different length scales, and the intrinsic catalytic characteristics measured at the nanoscale often differ from those at the macro-level due to complexity in electrode structure and/or composition. This aspect of electrocatalysis is addressed herein, where the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) activity of β-Co(OH)2 platelet particles of well-defined structure is investigated in alkaline media using multiscale scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). Microscale SECCM probes of ∼50 μm diameter provide voltammograms from small particle ensembles (ca. 40-250 particles) and reveal increasing dispersion in the OER rates for samples of the same size as the particle population within the sample decreases. This suggests the underlying significance of heterogeneous activity at the single-particle level that is confirmed through single-particle measurements with SECCM probes of ∼5 μm diameter. These measurements of multiple individual particles directly reveal significant variability in the OER activity at the single-particle level that do not simply correlate with the particle size, basal plane roughness, or exposed edge plane area. In combination, these measurements demarcate a transition from an "individual particle" to an "ensemble average" response at a population size of ca. 130 particles, above which the OER current density closely reflects that measured in bulk at conventional macroscopic particle-modified electrodes. Nanoscale SECCM probes (ca. 120 and 440 nm in diameter) enable measurements at the subparticle level, revealing that there is selective OER activity at the edges of particles and highlighting the importance of the three-phase boundary where the catalyst, electrolyte, and supporting carbon electrode meet, for efficient electrocatalysis. Furthermore, subparticle measurements unveil heterogeneity in the OER activity among particles that appear superficially similar, attributable to differences in defect density within the individual particles, as well as to variations in electrical and physical contact with the support material. Overall this study provides a roadmap for the multiscale analysis of nanostructured electrocatalysts, directly demonstrating the importance of multilength scale factors, including particle structure, particle-support interaction, presence of defects, etc., in governing the electrochemical activities of β-Co(OH)2 platelet particles and ultimately guiding the rational design and optimization of these materials for alkaline water electrolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minkyung Kang
- School
of Chemistry, The University of Sydney, Camperdown 2006 NSW, Australia
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | | | - J. Tyler Mefford
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - William C. Chueh
- Department
of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford
University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
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11
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Kong N, He J, Yang W. Formation of Molecular Junctions by Single-Entity Collision Electrochemistry. J Phys Chem Lett 2023; 14:8513-8524. [PMID: 37722010 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.3c01955] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/20/2023]
Abstract
Controlling and understanding the chemistry of molecular junctions is one of the major themes in various fields ranging from chemistry and nanotechnology to biotechnology and biology. Stochastic single-entity collision electrochemistry (SECE) provides powerful tools to study a single entity, such as single cells, single particles, and even single molecules, in a nanoconfined space. Molecular junctions formed by SECE collision show various potential applications in monitoring molecular dynamics with high spatial resolution and high temporal resolution and in feasible combination with hybrid techniques. This Perspective highlights the new breakthroughs, seminal studies, and trends in the area that have been most recently reported. In addition, future challenges for the study of molecular junction dynamics with SECE are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Kong
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Centre for Sustainable Bioproducts, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - Jin He
- Physics Department, Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, United States
| | - Wenrong Yang
- School of Life and Environmental Science, Centre for Sustainable Bioproducts, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
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12
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Mohammed M, Jones BA, Liarou E, Wilson P. Localised polymerisation of acrylamide using single-barrel scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:10992-10995. [PMID: 37622460 DOI: 10.1039/d3cc03582d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Single-barrel scanning electrochemical cell microscopy has been adapted for polymerisation of acrylamide in droplet cells formed at gold electrode surfaces. Localised electrochemical atom transfer radical polymerisation enables controlled synthesis and deposition of polyacrylamide or synthesis of polyacrylamide brushes from initiator-functionalised electrode surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahir Mohammed
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Bryn A Jones
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Evelina Liarou
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Paul Wilson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.
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13
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Mondaca-Medina E, García-Carrillo R, Lee H, Wang Y, Zhang H, Ren H. Nanoelectrochemistry in electrochemical phase transition reactions. Chem Sci 2023; 14:7611-7619. [PMID: 37476712 PMCID: PMC10355110 DOI: 10.1039/d3sc01857a] [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: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/21/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Electrochemical phase transition is important in a range of processes, including gas generation in fuel cells and electrolyzers, as well as in electrodeposition in battery and metal production. Nucleation is the first step in these phase transition reactions. A deep understanding of the kinetics, and mechanism of the nucleation and the structure of the nuclei and nucleation sites is fundamentally important. In this perspective, theories and methods for studying electrochemical nucleation are briefly reviewed, with an emphasis on nanoelectrochemistry and single-entity electrochemistry approaches. Perspectives on open questions and potential future approaches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elías Mondaca-Medina
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 105 E 24th St Austin TX 78712 USA
| | - Roberto García-Carrillo
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 105 E 24th St Austin TX 78712 USA
| | - Hyein Lee
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 105 E 24th St Austin TX 78712 USA
| | - Yufei Wang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 105 E 24th St Austin TX 78712 USA
| | - He Zhang
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 105 E 24th St Austin TX 78712 USA
| | - Hang Ren
- Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin 105 E 24th St Austin TX 78712 USA
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14
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Gao C, Li Y, Zhao J, Sun W, Guang S, Chen Q. Measuring the Pseudocapacitive Behavior of Individual V 2O 5 Particles by Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37392190 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
V2O5 is a promising pseudocapacitive material for electrochemical energy storage with balanced power and energy density. Understanding the charge-storage mechanism is of significance to further improve the rate performance. Here, we report an electrochemical study of individual V2O5 particles using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy with colocalized electron microscopy. A carbon sputtering procedure is proposed for the pristine V2O5 particles to improve their structure stability and electronic conductivity. The achieved high-quality electrochemical cyclic voltammetry results, structural integrity, and high oxidation to reduction charge ratio (as high as 97.74%) assured further quantitative analysis of the pseudocapacitive behavior of single particles and correlation with local particle structures. A broad range of capacitive contribution is revealed, with an average ratio of 76% at 1.0 V/s. This study provides new opportunities for quantitative analysis of the electrochemical charge-storage process at single particles, especially for electrode materials with electrolyte-induced instability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Gao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yingjian Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jiao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Wei Sun
- College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Shanyi Guang
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qianjin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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15
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Jin R, Zhou W, Xu Y, Jiang D, Fang D. Electrochemical Visualization of Membrane Proteins in Single Cells at a Nanoscale Using Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy. Anal Chem 2023. [PMID: 37358933 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The electrochemical visualization of proteins in the plasma membrane of single fixed cells was achieved with a spatial resolution of 160 nm using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. The model protein, the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), is linked with a ruthenium complex (Ru(bpy)32+)-tagged antibody, which exhibits redox peaks in its cyclic voltammetry curves after a nanopipette tip contacts the cellular membrane. Based on the potential-resolved oxidation or reduction currents, an uneven distribution of membrane CEAs on the cells is electrochemically visualized, which could only be achieved previously using super-resolution optical microscopy. Compared with current electrochemical microscopy, the single-cell scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) strategy not only improves the spatial resolution but also utilizes the potential-resolved current from the antibody-antigen complex to increase electrochemical imaging accuracy. Eventually, the electrochemical visualization of cellular proteins at the nanoscale enables the super-resolution study of cells to provide more biological information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Jin
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211126, China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenting Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211126, China
| | - Yanyan Xu
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211126, China
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dechen Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Danjun Fang
- School of Pharmacy, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211126, China
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16
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Maroo S, Yu Y, Taniguchi T, Watanabe K, Bediako DK. Decoupling Effects of Electrostatic Gating on Electronic Transport and Interfacial Charge-Transfer Kinetics at Few-Layer Molybdenum Disulfide. ACS NANOSCIENCE AU 2023; 3:204-210. [PMID: 37360849 PMCID: PMC10288603 DOI: 10.1021/acsnanoscienceau.2c00064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The electronic properties of electrode materials play a crucial role in defining their electrochemical behavior in energy conversion and storage devices. The assembly of van der Waals heterostructures and fabrication into mesoscopic devices enable the dependence of an electrochemical response on electronic properties to be systematically interrogated. Here, we evaluate the effect of charge carrier concentration on heterogeneous electron transfer at few-layer MoS2 electrodes by combining spatially resolved electrochemical measurements with field-effect electrostatic manipulation of band alignment. Steady-state cyclic voltammograms and finite-element simulations reveal a strong modulation of the measured electrochemical response for outer-sphere charge transfer at the electrostatic gate voltage. In addition, spatially resolved voltammetric responses, obtained at a series of locations at the surface of few-layer MoS2, reveal the governing role of in-plane charge transport on the electrochemical behavior of 2D electrodes, especially under conditions of low carrier densities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonal Maroo
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Yun Yu
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - Takashi Taniguchi
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics and Research Center for
Functional Materials, National Institute
for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | - Kenji Watanabe
- International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics and Research Center for
Functional Materials, National Institute
for Materials Science, Tsukuba 305-0044, Japan
| | - D. Kwabena Bediako
- Department
of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
- Chemical
Sciences Division, Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
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17
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Anderson KL, Edwards MA. Evaluating Analytical Expressions for Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy (SECCM). Anal Chem 2023; 95:8258-8266. [PMID: 37191580 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c00216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) maps the electrochemical activity of a surface with nanoscale resolution using an electrolyte-filled nanopipette. The meniscus at the end of the pipet is sequentially placed at an array of locations across the surface, forming a series of nanometric electrochemical cells where the current-voltage response is measured. Quantitative interpretation of these responses typically employs numerical modeling to solve the coupled equations of transport and electron transfer, which require costly software or self-written code. Expertise and time are required to build and solve numerical models, which must be rerun for each new experiment. In contrast, algebraic expressions directly relate the current response to physical parameters. They are simpler to use, faster to calculate, and can provide greater insight but frequently require simplifying assumptions. In this work, we provide algebraic expressions for current and concentration distributions in SECCM experiments, which are formulated by approximating the pipet and meniscus using 1-D spherical coordinates. Expressions for the current and concentration distributions as a function of experimental parameters and in various conditions (steady state and time dependent, diffusion limited, and including migration) all show excellent agreement with numerical simulations employing a full geometry. Uses of the analytical expressions include determination of expected currents in experiments and quantifying electron-transfer rate constants in SECCM experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamsy Lerae Anderson
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
| | - Martin Andrew Edwards
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Arkansas 72701, United States
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18
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Dery S, Friedman B, Shema H, Gross E. Mechanistic Insights Gained by High Spatial Resolution Reactivity Mapping of Homogeneous and Heterogeneous (Electro)Catalysts. Chem Rev 2023; 123:6003-6038. [PMID: 37037476 PMCID: PMC10176474 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
The recent development of high spatial resolution microscopy and spectroscopy tools enabled reactivity analysis of homogeneous and heterogeneous (electro)catalysts at previously unattainable resolution and sensitivity. These techniques revealed that catalytic entities are more heterogeneous than expected and local variations in reaction mechanism due to divergences in the nature of active sites, such as their atomic properties, distribution, and accessibility, occur both in homogeneous and heterogeneous (electro)catalysts. In this review, we highlight recent insights in catalysis research that were attained by conducting high spatial resolution studies. The discussed case studies range from reactivity detection of single particles or single molecular catalysts, inter- and intraparticle communication analysis, and probing the influence of catalysts distribution and accessibility on the resulting reactivity. It is demonstrated that multiparticle and multisite reactivity analyses provide unique knowledge about reaction mechanism that could not have been attained by conducting ensemble-based, averaging, spectroscopy measurements. It is highlighted that the integration of spectroscopy and microscopy measurements under realistic reaction conditions will be essential to bridge the gap between model-system studies and real-world high spatial resolution reactivity analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahar Dery
- Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Barak Friedman
- Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Hadar Shema
- Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Elad Gross
- Institute of Chemistry and The Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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19
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Santana Santos C, Jaato BN, Sanjuán I, Schuhmann W, Andronescu C. Operando Scanning Electrochemical Probe Microscopy during Electrocatalysis. Chem Rev 2023; 123:4972-5019. [PMID: 36972701 PMCID: PMC10168669 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/29/2023]
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical probe microscopy (SEPM) techniques can disclose the local electrochemical reactivity of interfaces in single-entity and sub-entity studies. Operando SEPM measurements consist of using a SEPM tip to investigate the performance of electrocatalysts, while the reactivity of the interface is simultaneously modulated. This powerful combination can correlate electrochemical activity with changes in surface properties, e.g., topography and structure, as well as provide insight into reaction mechanisms. The focus of this review is to reveal the recent progress in local SEPM measurements of the catalytic activity of a surface toward the reduction and evolution of O2 and H2 and electrochemical conversion of CO2. The capabilities of SEPMs are showcased, and the possibility of coupling other techniques to SEPMs is presented. Emphasis is given to scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM), scanning ion conductance microscopy (SICM), electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM).
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Santana Santos
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Bright Nsolebna Jaato
- Technical Chemistry III, Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Ignacio Sanjuán
- Technical Chemistry III, Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Analytical Chemistry - Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, D-44780 Bochum, Germany
| | - Corina Andronescu
- Technical Chemistry III, Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen Carl-Benz-Straße 199, 47057 Duisburg, Germany
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20
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Bentley CL, Gaudin LF, Kang M. Direct electrochemical identification of rare microscopic catalytic active sites. Chem Commun (Camb) 2023; 59:2287-2290. [PMID: 36744442 DOI: 10.1039/d2cc06316f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Local voltammetric analysis with a scanning electrochemical droplet cell technique, in combination with a new data processing protocol (termed data binning and trinisation), is used to directly identify previously unseen regions of elevated electrocatalytic activity on the basal plane (BP) of molybdenum disulfide (2H-MoS2). This includes BP-like structures with hydrogen evolution reaction activities approaching that of the edge plane and rare nanoscale electrocatalytic "hot-spots" present at an areal density of approximately 0.2-1 μm-2. Understanding the nature of (sub)microscopic catalytic active sites, such as those identified herein, is crucial to guide the rational design of next-generation earth-abundant materials for renewable fuels production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron L Bentley
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Lachlan F Gaudin
- School of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Institute for Frontier Materials Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
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21
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Bernal M, Torres D, Parapari SS, Čeh M, Rožman KŽ, Šturm S, Ustarroz J. A microscopic view on the electrochemical deposition and dissolution of Au with Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy – Part I. Electrochim Acta 2023. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.142023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
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22
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Tao B, McPherson IJ, Daviddi E, Bentley CL, Unwin PR. Multiscale Electrochemistry of Lithium Manganese Oxide (LiMn 2O 4): From Single Particles to Ensembles and Degrees of Electrolyte Wetting. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2023; 11:1459-1471. [PMID: 36743391 PMCID: PMC9890564 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.2c06075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) facilitates single particle measurements of battery materials using voltammetry at fast scan rates (1 V s-1), providing detailed insight into intrinsic particle kinetics, otherwise obscured by matrix effects. Here, we elucidate the electrochemistry of lithium manganese oxide (LiMn2O4) particles, using a series of SECCM probes of graded size to determine the evolution of electrochemical characteristics from the single particle to ensemble level. Nanometer scale control over the SECCM meniscus cell position and height further allows the study of variable particle/substrate electrolyte wetting, including comparison of fully wetted particles (where contact is also made with the underlying glassy carbon substrate electrode) vs partly wetted particles. We find ensembles of LiMn2O4 particles show voltammograms with much larger peak separations than those of single particles. In addition, if the SECCM meniscus is brought into contact with the substrate electrode, such that the particle-support contact changes from dry to wet, a further dramatic increase in peak separation is observed. Finite element method modeling of the system reveals the importance of finite electronic conductivity of the particles, contact resistance, surface kinetics, particle size, and contact area with the electrode surface in determining the voltammetric waveshape at fast scan rates, while the responses are relatively insensitive to Li+ diffusion coefficients over a range of typical values. The simulation results explain the variability in voltammetric responses seen at the single particle level and reveal some of the key factors responsible for the evolution of the response, from ensemble, contact, and wetting perspectives. The variables and considerations explored herein are applicable to any single entity (nanoscale) electrochemical study involving low conductivity materials and should serve as a useful guide for further investigations of this type. Overall, this study highlights the potential of multiscale measurements, where wetting, electronic contact, and ionic contact can be varied independently, to inform the design of practical composite electrodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Binglin Tao
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Ian J. McPherson
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Enrico Daviddi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | | | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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23
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Lai Z, Li D, Cai S, Liu M, Huang F, Zhang G, Wu X, Jin Y. Small-Area Techniques for Micro- and Nanoelectrochemical Characterization: A Review. Anal Chem 2023; 95:357-373. [PMID: 36625128 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c04551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Zhaogui Lai
- National Center for Materials Service Safety, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Dingshi Li
- Beijing Institute of Space Launch Technology, Beijing 100076, China
| | - Shuangyu Cai
- National Center for Materials Service Safety, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Min Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Related Technologies, Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Marine Materials and Protective Technologies, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Ningbo 315201, China
| | - Feifei Huang
- National Center for Materials Service Safety, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
| | - Guodong Zhang
- Beijing Institute of Space Launch Technology, Beijing 100076, China
| | - Xinyue Wu
- Beijing Institute of Space Launch Technology, Beijing 100076, China
| | - Ying Jin
- National Center for Materials Service Safety, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 102206, China
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24
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Recent Advances in In Situ/Operando Surface/Interface Characterization Techniques for the Study of Artificial Photosynthesis. INORGANICS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/inorganics11010016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
(Photo-)electrocatalytic artificial photosynthesis driven by electrical and/or solar energy that converts water (H2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) into hydrogen (H2), carbohydrates and oxygen (O2), has proven to be a promising and effective route for producing clean alternatives to fossil fuels, as well as for storing intermittent renewable energy, and thus to solve the energy crisis and climate change issues that we are facing today. Basic (photo-)electrocatalysis consists of three main processes: (1) light absorption, (2) the separation and transport of photogenerated charge carriers, and (3) the transfer of photogenerated charge carriers at the interfaces. With further research, scientists have found that these three steps are significantly affected by surface and interface properties (e.g., defect, dangling bonds, adsorption/desorption, surface recombination, electric double layer (EDL), surface dipole). Therefore, the catalytic performance, which to a great extent is determined by the physicochemical properties of surfaces and interfaces between catalyst and reactant, can be changed dramatically under working conditions. Common approaches for investigating these phenomena include X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), scanning probe microscopy (SPM), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXRD), auger electron spectroscopy (AES), transmission electron microscope (TEM), etc. Generally, these techniques can only be applied under ex situ conditions and cannot fully recover the changes of catalysts in real chemical reactions. How to identify and track alterations of the catalysts, and thus provide further insight into the complex mechanisms behind them, has become a major research topic in this field. The application of in situ/operando characterization techniques enables real-time monitoring and analysis of dynamic changes. Therefore, researchers can obtain physical and/or chemical information during the reaction (e.g., morphology, chemical bonding, valence state, photocurrent distribution, surface potential variation, surface reconstruction), or even by the combination of these techniques as a suite (e.g., atomic force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), or near-ambient-pressure STM/XPS combined system (NAP STM-XPS)) to correlate the various properties simultaneously, so as to further reveal the reaction mechanisms. In this review, we briefly describe the working principles of in situ/operando surface/interface characterization technologies (i.e., SPM and X-ray spectroscopy) and discuss the recent progress in monitoring relevant surface/interface changes during water splitting and CO2 reduction reactions (CO2RR). We hope that this review will provide our readers with some ideas and guidance about how these in situ/operando characterization techniques can help us investigate the changes in catalyst surfaces/interfaces, and further promote the development of (photo-)electrocatalytic surface and interface engineering.
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25
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Rahman MM, Tolbert CL, Saha P, Halpern JM, Hill CM. On-Demand Electrochemical Fabrication of Ordered Nanoparticle Arrays using Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy. ACS NANO 2022; 16:21275-21282. [PMID: 36399100 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c09336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Well-ordered nanoparticle arrays are attractive platforms for a variety of analytical applications, but the fabrication of such arrays is generally challenging. Here, it is demonstrated that scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) can be used as a powerful, instantly reconfigurable tool for the fabrication of ordered nanoparticle arrays. Using SECCM, Ag nanoparticle arrays were straightforwardly fabricated via electrodeposition at the interface between a substrate electrode and an electrolyte-filled pipet. By dynamically monitoring the currents flowing in an SECCM cell, individual nucleation and growth events could be detected and controlled to yield individual nanoparticles of controlled size. Characterization of the resulting arrays demonstrate that this SECCM-based approach enables spatial control of nanoparticle location comparable with the terminal diameter of the pipet employed and straightforward control over the volume of material deposited at each site within an array. These results provide further evidence for the utility of probe-based electrochemical techniques such as SECCM as tools for surface modification in addition to analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Maksudur Rahman
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming82071, United States
| | - Chloe L Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming82071, United States
| | - Partha Saha
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming82071, United States
| | - Jeffrey M Halpern
- Department of Chemical Engineering and the Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of New Hampshire, 33 Academic Way, Durham, New Hampshire03824, United States
| | - Caleb M Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 East University Avenue, Laramie, Wyoming82071, United States
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26
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Daviddi E, Shkirskiy V, Kirkman PM, Robin MP, Bentley CL, Unwin PR. Screening the Surface Structure-Dependent Action of a Benzotriazole Derivative on Copper Electrochemistry in a Triple-Phase Nanoscale Environment. THE JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY. C, NANOMATERIALS AND INTERFACES 2022; 126:14897-14907. [PMID: 36110498 PMCID: PMC9465680 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcc.2c04494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Copper (Cu) corrosion is a compelling problem in the automotive sector and in oil refinery and transport, where it is mainly caused by the action of acidic aqueous droplets dispersed in an oil phase. Corrosion inhibitors, such as benzotriazole (BTAH) and its derivatives, are widely used to limit such corrosion processes. The efficacy of corrosion inhibitors is expected to be dependent on the surface crystallography of metals exposed to the corrosion environment. Yet, studies of the effect of additives at the local level of the surface crystallographic structure of polycrystalline metals are challenging, particularly lacking for the triple-phase corrosion problem (metal/aqueous/oil). To address this issue, scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), is used in an acidic nanodroplet meniscus|oil layer|polycrystalline Cu configuration to explore the grain-dependent influence of an oil soluble BTAH derivative (BTA-R) on Cu electrochemistry within the confines of a local aqueous nanoprobe. Electrochemical maps, collected in the voltammetric mode at an array of >1000 points across the Cu surface, reveal both cathodic (mainly the oxygen reduction reaction) and anodic (Cu electrooxidation) processes, of relevance to corrosion, as a function of the local crystallographic structure, deduced with co-located electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). BTA-R is active on the whole spectrum of crystallographic orientations analyzed, but there is a complex grain-dependent action, distinct for oxygen reduction and Cu oxidation. The methodology pinpoints the surface structural motifs that facilitate corrosion-related processes and where BTA-R works most efficiently. Combined SECCM-EBSD provides a detailed screen of a spectrum of surface sites, and the results should inform future modeling studies, ultimately contributing to a better inhibitor design.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico Daviddi
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | | | | | | | - Cameron L. Bentley
- School
of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
| | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
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27
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Schumacher S, Madauß L, Liebsch Y, Tetteh EB, Varhade S, Schuhmann W, Schleberger M, Andronescu C. Revealing the heterogeneity of large‐area MoS2 layers in the electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. ChemElectroChem 2022; 9:e202200586. [PMID: 36246850 PMCID: PMC9544614 DOI: 10.1002/celc.202200586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The electrocatalytic activity concerning the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) of micrometer‐sized MoS2 layers transferred on a glassy carbon surface was evaluated by scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) in a high‐throughput approach. Multiple areas on single or multiple MoS2 layers were assessed using a hopping mode nanocapillary positioning with a hopping distance of 500 nm and a nanopipette size of around 55 nm. The locally recorded linear sweep voltammograms revealed a high lateral heterogeneity over the MoS2 sheet regarding their HER activity, with currents between −40 and −60 pA recorded at −0.89 V vs. reversible hygrogen electrode over about 4400 different measured areas on the MoS2 sheet. Stacked MoS2 layers did not show different electrocatalytic activity than the single MoS2 sheet, suggesting that the interlayer resistance influences the electrocatalytic activity less than the resistances induced by possible polymer residues or water layers formed between the transferred MoS2 sheet and the glassy carbon electrode.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Schumacher
- Universität Duisburg-Essen Fakultät für Chemie: Universitat Duisburg-Essen Fakultat fur Chemie Chemical Technology III GERMANY
| | - Lukas Madauß
- Universitat Duisburg-Essen Fakultat fur Physik CENIDE GERMANY
| | | | - Emmanuel Batsa Tetteh
- Ruhr Universitat Bochum Fakultat fur Chemie und Biochemie Analytical Chemistry – Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), GERMANY
| | - Swapnil Varhade
- Ruhr Universität Bochum Fakultät für Chemie und Biochemie: Ruhr Universitat Bochum Fakultat fur Chemie und Biochemie Analytical Chemistry – Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES) GERMANY
| | - Wolfgang Schuhmann
- Ruhr Universität Bochum Fakultät für Chemie und Biochemie: Ruhr Universitat Bochum Fakultat fur Chemie und Biochemie Analytical Chemistry – Center for Electrochemical Sciences (CES), GERMANY
| | | | - Corina Andronescu
- Universitat Duisburg-Essen Chemical Technology III Carl-Benz-Str. 199 D-47057 Duisburg GERMANY
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28
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Mariano R, Wahab OJ, Rabinowitz JA, Oppenheim J, Chen T, Unwin PR, Dincǎ M. Thousand-fold increase in O 2 electroreduction rates with conductive MOFs. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2022; 8:975-982. [PMID: 35912352 PMCID: PMC9336150 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.2c00509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Molecular materials must deliver high current densities to be competitive with traditional heterogeneous catalysts. Despite their high density of active sites, it has been unclear why the reported O2 reduction reaction (ORR) activity of molecularly defined conductive metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been very low: ca. -1 mA cm-2. Here, we use a combination of gas diffusion electrolyses and nanoelectrochemical measurements to lift multiscale O2 transport limitations and show that the intrinsic electrocatalytic ORR activity of a model 2D conductive MOF, Ni3(HITP)2, has been underestimated by at least 3 orders of magnitude. When it is supported on a gas diffusion electrode (GDE), Ni3(HITP)2 can deliver ORR activities >-150 mA cm-2 and gravimetric H2O2 electrosynthesis rates exceeding or on par with those of prior heterogeneous electrocatalysts. Enforcing the fastest accessible mass transport rates using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy revealed that Ni3(HITP)2 is capable of ORR current densities exceeding -1200 mA cm-2 and at least another 130-fold higher ORR mass activity than has been observed in GDEs. Our results directly implicate precise control over multiscale mass transport to achieve high-current-density electrocatalysis in molecular materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruperto
G. Mariano
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | | | - Joshua A. Rabinowitz
- Department
of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Julius Oppenheim
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Tianyang Chen
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K.
| | - Mircea Dincǎ
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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29
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Direct measuring of single-heterogeneous bubble nucleation mediated by surface topology. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2205827119. [PMID: 35858338 PMCID: PMC9303989 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2205827119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Heterogeneous bubble nucleation is one of the most fundamental interfacial processes ranging from nature to technology. There is excellent evidence that surface topology is important in directing heterogeneous nucleation; however, deep understanding of the energetics by which nanoscale architectures promote nucleation is still challenging. Herein, we report a direct and quantitative measurement of single-bubble nucleation on a single silica nanoparticle within a microsized droplet using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Local gas concentration at nucleation is determined from finite element simulation at the corresponding faradaic current of the peak-featured voltammogram. It is demonstrated that the criteria gas concentration for nucleation first drops and then rises with increasing nanoparticle radius. An optimum nanoparticle radius around 10 nm prominently expedites the nucleation by facilitating the special topological nanoconfinements that consequently catalyze the nucleation. Moreover, the experimental result is corroborated by our theoretical calculations of free energy change based on the classic nucleation theory. This study offers insights into the impact of surface topology on heterogenous nucleation that have not been previously observed.
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30
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Chen Q, Zhao J, Deng X, Shan Y, Peng Y. Single-Entity Electrochemistry of Nano- and Microbubbles in Electrolytic Gas Evolution. J Phys Chem Lett 2022; 13:6153-6163. [PMID: 35762985 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.2c01388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Gas bubbles are found in diverse electrochemical processes, ranging from electrolytic water splitting to chlor-alkali electrolysis, as well as photoelectrochemical processes. Understanding the intricate influence of bubble evolution on the electrode processes and mass transport is key to the rational design of efficient devices for electrolytic energy conversion and thus requires precise measurement and analysis of individual gas bubbles. In this Perspective, we review the latest advances in single-entity measurement of gas bubbles on electrodes, covering the approaches of voltammetric and galvanostatic studies based on nanoelectrodes, probing bubble evolution using scanning probe electrochemistry with spatial information, and monitoring the transient nature of nanobubble formation and dynamics with opto-electrochemical imaging. We emphasize the intrinsic and quantitative physicochemical interpretation of single gas bubbles from electrochemical data, highlighting the fundamental understanding of the heterogeneous nucleation, dynamic state of the three-phase boundary, and the correlation between electrolytic bubble dynamics and nanocatalyst activities. In addition, a brief discussion of future perspectives is presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianjin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Jiao Zhao
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiaoli Deng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yun Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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31
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Wahab OJ, Kang M, Daviddi E, Walker M, Unwin PR. Screening Surface Structure-Electrochemical Activity Relationships of Copper Electrodes under CO 2 Electroreduction Conditions. ACS Catal 2022; 12:6578-6588. [PMID: 35692254 PMCID: PMC9171721 DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.2c01650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how crystallographic orientation influences the electrocatalytic performance of metal catalysts can potentially advance the design of catalysts with improved efficiency. Although single crystal electrodes are typically used for such studies, the one-at-a-time preparation procedure limits the range of secondary crystallographic orientations that can be profiled. This work employs scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) together with co-located electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) as a screening technique to investigate how surface crystallographic orientations on polycrystalline copper (Cu) correlate to activity under CO2 electroreduction conditions. SECCM measures spatially resolved voltammetry on polycrystalline copper covering low overpotentials of CO2 conversion to intermediates, thereby screening the different activity from low-index facets where H2 evolution is dominant to high-index facets where more reaction intermediates are expected. This approach allows the acquisition of 2500 voltammograms on approximately 60 different Cu surface facets identified with EBSD. The results show that the order of activity is (111) < (100) < (110) among the Cu primary orientations. The collection of data over a wide range of secondary orientations leads to the construction of an "electrochemical-crystallographic stereographic triangle" that provides a broad comprehension of the trends among Cu secondary surface facets rarely studied in the literature, [particularly (941) and (741)], and clearly shows that the electroreduction activity scales with the step and kink density of these surfaces. This work also reveals that the electrochemical stripping of the passive layer that is naturally formed on Cu in air is strongly grain-dependent, and the relative ease of stripping on low-index facets follows the order of (100) > (111) > (110). This allows a procedure to be implemented, whereby the oxide is removed (to an electrochemically undetectable level) prior to the kinetic analyses of electroreduction activity. SECCM screening allows for the most active surfaces to be ranked and prompts in-depth follow-up studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Institute for Frontier Materials Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | - Enrico Daviddi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Marc Walker
- Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
| | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
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32
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Bentley CL, Kang M, Bukola S, Creager SE, Unwin PR. High-Resolution Ion-Flux Imaging of Proton Transport through Graphene|Nafion Membranes. ACS NANO 2022; 16:5233-5245. [PMID: 35286810 PMCID: PMC9047657 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c05872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
In 2014, it was reported that protons can traverse between aqueous phases separated by nominally pristine monolayer graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) films (membranes) under ambient conditions. This intrinsic proton conductivity of the one-atom-thick crystals, with proposed through-plane conduction, challenged the notion that graphene is impermeable to atoms, ions, and molecules. More recent evidence points to a defect-facilitated transport mechanism, analogous to transport through conventional ion-selective membranes based on graphene and h-BN. Herein, local ion-flux imaging is performed on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) graphene|Nafion membranes using an "electrochemical ion (proton) pump cell" mode of scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). Targeting regions that are free from visible macroscopic defects (e.g., cracks, holes, etc.) and assessing hundreds to thousands of different sites across the graphene surfaces in a typical experiment, we find that most of the CVD graphene|Nafion membrane is impermeable to proton transport, with transmission typically occurring at ≈20-60 localized sites across a ≈0.003 mm2 area of the membrane (>5000 measurements total). When localized proton transport occurs, it can be a highly dynamic process, with additional transmission sites "opening" and a small number of sites "closing" under an applied electric field on the seconds time scale. Applying a simple equivalent circuit model of ion transport through a cylindrical nanopore, the local transmission sites are estimated to possess dimensions (radii) on the (sub)nanometer scale, implying that rare atomic defects are responsible for proton conductance. Overall, this work reinforces SECCM as a premier tool for the structure-property mapping of microscopically complex (electro)materials, with the local ion-flux mapping configuration introduced herein being widely applicable for functional membrane characterization and beyond, for example in diagnosing the failure mechanisms of protective surface coatings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cameron L. Bentley
- School
of Chemistry, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
| | - Saheed Bukola
- Department
of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Stephen E. Creager
- Department
of Chemistry, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina 29634, United States
| | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department
of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, United Kingdom
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33
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Liu G, Hao L, Li H, Zhang K, Yu X, Li D, Zhu X, Hao D, Ma Y, Ma L. Topography Mapping with Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:5248-5254. [PMID: 35312291 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
High-resolution scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), synchronously visualizing the topography and electrochemical activity, could be used to directly correlate the structure and activity of materials nanoscopically. However, its topographical measurement is largely restricted by the size and stability of the meniscus droplet formed at the end of the nanopipette. In this paper, we report a scheme that could reliably gain several tens nanometer resolution (≥65 nm) of SECCM using homemade ∼50 nm inner diameter probes. Furthermore, the topography and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of ∼45 nm self-assembled Au nanoparticles monolayer were simultaneously recorded successfully. This scheme could make mapping of both topologic and chemical properties of samples in the nanometer regime with SECCM routinely, which potentially can largely expand the field of SECCM applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gen Liu
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Luzhen Hao
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Hao Li
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Kaimin Zhang
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xue Yu
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Dong Li
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Xiaodong Zhu
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Danni Hao
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Yanqing Ma
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China.,State Laboratory of Precision Measuring Technology and Instruments, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
| | - Lei Ma
- Tianjin International Center for Nanoparticles and Nanosystems, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, P. R. China
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Shan Y, Deng X, Lu X, Gao C, Li Y, Chen Q. Surface facets dependent oxygen evolution reaction of single Cu2O nanoparticles. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2022.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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35
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Guo SX, Bentley CL, Kang M, Bond AM, Unwin PR, Zhang J. Advanced Spatiotemporal Voltammetric Techniques for Kinetic Analysis and Active Site Determination in the Electrochemical Reduction of CO 2. Acc Chem Res 2022; 55:241-251. [PMID: 35020363 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.1c00617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
ConspectusElectrochemical reduction of the greenhouse gas CO2 offers prospects for the sustainable generation of fuels and industrially useful chemicals when powered by renewable electricity. However, this electrochemical process requires the use of highly stable, selective, and active catalysts. The development of such catalysts should be based on a detailed kinetic and mechanistic understanding of the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR), ideally through the resolution of active catalytic sites in both time (i.e., temporally) and space (i.e., spatially). In this Account, we highlight two advanced spatiotemporal voltammetric techniques for electrocatalytic studies and describe the considerable insights they provide on the eCO2RR. First, Fourier transformed large-amplitude alternating current voltammetry (FT ac voltammetry), as applied by the Monash Electrochemistry Group, enables the resolution of rapid underlying electron-transfer processes in complex reactions, free from competing processes, such as the background double-layer charging current, slow catalytic reactions, and solvent/electrolyte electrolysis, which often mask conventional voltammetric measurements of the eCO2RR. Crucially, FT ac voltammetry allows details of the catalytically active sites or the rate-determining step to be revealed under catalytic turnover conditions. This is well illustrated in investigations of the eCO2RR catalyzed by Bi where formate is the main product. Second, developments in scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) by the Warwick Electrochemistry and Interfaces Group provide powerful methods for obtaining high-resolution activity maps and potentiodynamic movies of the heterogeneous surface of a catalyst. For example, by coupling SECCM data with colocated microscopy from electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) or atomic force microscopy, it is possible to develop compelling correlations of (precatalyst) structure-activity at the nanoscale level. This correlative electrochemical multimicroscopy strategy allows the catalytically more active region of a catalyst, such as the edge plane of two-dimensional materials and the grain boundaries between facets in a polycrystalline metal, to be highlighted. The attributes of SECCM-EBSD are well-illustrated by detailed studies of the eCO2RR on polycrystalline gold, where carbon monoxide is the main product. Comparing SECCM maps and movies with EBSD images of the same region reveals unambiguously that the eCO2RR is enhanced at surface-terminating dislocations, which accumulate at grain boundaries and slip bands. Both FT ac voltammetry and SECCM techniques greatly enhance our understanding of the eCO2RR, significantly boosting the electrochemical toolbox and the information available for the development and testing of theoretical models and rational catalyst design. In the future, it may be possible to further enhance insights provided by both techniques through their integration with in situ and in operando spectroscopy and microscopy methods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Minkyung Kang
- Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria 3125, Australia
| | | | - Patrick R. Unwin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, U.K
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36
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Paiva TO, Schneider A, Bataille L, Chovin A, Anne A, Michon T, Wege C, Demaille C. Enzymatic activity of individual bioelectrocatalytic viral nanoparticles: dependence of catalysis on the viral scaffold and its length. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:875-889. [PMID: 34985473 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr07445h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The enzymatic activity of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) nanorod particles decorated with an integrated electro-catalytic system, comprising the quinoprotein glucose-dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH) enzyme and ferrocenylated PEG chains as redox mediators, is probed at the individual virion scale by atomic force microscopy-scanning electrochemical atomic force microscopy (AFM-SECM). A marked dependence of the catalytic activity on the particle length is observed. This finding can be explained by electron propagation along the viral backbone, resulting from electron exchange between ferrocene moieties, coupled with enzymatic catalysis. Thus, the use of a simple 1D diffusion/reaction model allows the determination of the kinetic parameters of the virus-supported enzyme. Comparative analysis of the catalytic behavior of the Fc-PEG/PQQ-GDH system assembled on two differing viral scaffolds, TMV (this work) and bacteriophage-fd (previous work), reveals two distinct kinetic effects of scaffolding: An enhancement of catalysis that does not depend on the virus type and a modulation of substrate inhibition that depends on the virus type. AFM-SECM detection of the enzymatic activity of a few tens of PQQ-GDH molecules, decorating a 40 nm-long viral domain, is also demonstrated, a record in terms of the lowest number of enzyme molecules interrogated by an electrochemical imaging technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telmo O Paiva
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS UMR 7591, F-75013 Paris, France.
| | - Angela Schneider
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, Research Unit Molecular and Synthetic Plant Virology, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Laure Bataille
- Université de Bordeaux, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, INRA UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France.
| | - Arnaud Chovin
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS UMR 7591, F-75013 Paris, France.
| | - Agnès Anne
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS UMR 7591, F-75013 Paris, France.
| | - Thierry Michon
- Université de Bordeaux, Biologie du Fruit et Pathologie, INRA UMR 1332, F-33140 Villenave d'Ornon, France.
| | - Christina Wege
- University of Stuttgart, Institute of Biomaterials and Biomolecular Systems, Research Unit Molecular and Synthetic Plant Virology, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany.
| | - Christophe Demaille
- Université de Paris, Laboratoire d'Electrochimie Moléculaire, CNRS UMR 7591, F-75013 Paris, France.
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37
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Modern applications of scanning electrochemical microscopy in the analysis of electrocatalytic surface reactions. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(21)63948-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
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38
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Tolbert CL, Hill CM. Electrochemically probing exciton transport in monolayers of two-dimensional semiconductors. Faraday Discuss 2021; 233:163-174. [PMID: 34897331 DOI: 10.1039/d1fd00052g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Two-dimensional semiconductors (2DSCs) are attractive for a variety of optoelectronic and catalytic applications due to their ability to be fabricated as wide-area, monolayer-thick films and their unique optical and electronic properties which emerge at this scale. One important class of 2DSCs are the transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which are of particular interest as absorbing layers in ultrathin optoelectronic devices. While TMDs are known to exhibit excellent photovoltaic properties at the bulk level, it is not yet clear how carriers are transported in these materials at thicknesses approaching the monolayer limit, where distinct changes in band structure and the nature of photogenerated carriers occur. Here, it is demonstrated that electrochemical microscopy techniques can be employed as powerful tools for visualizing these processes in 2DSCs, even within individual monolayers. Carrier generation-tip collection scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (CG-TC SECCM), which utilizes spatially-offset optical and pipet-based electrochemical probes to locally generate and detect photogenerated carriers, was applied to visualize carrier generation and transport within well-defined n-WSe2 samples prepared via mechanical exfoliation. Data from these experiments directly reveal how carrier transport varies within complex 2DSC structures as layer thicknesses approach the monolayer limit. These results not only provide valuable new insights into carrier transport within monolayer TMD materials, but also demonstrate electrochemical imaging to be a powerful, yet underutilized approach for visualizing solid-state processes in semiconducting materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe L Tolbert
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
| | - Caleb M Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 E. University Ave., Laramie, WY 82071, USA.
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39
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Lu X, Li M, Peng Y, Xi X, Li M, Chen Q, Dong A. Direct Probing of the Oxygen Evolution Reaction at Single NiFe 2O 4 Nanocrystal Superparticles with Tunable Structures. J Am Chem Soc 2021; 143:16925-16929. [PMID: 34612638 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.1c08592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Due to the precisely controllable size, shape, and composition, self-assembled nanocrystal superlattices exhibit unique collective properties and find wide applications in catalysis and energy conversion. Identifying their intrinsic electrocatalytic activity is challenging, as their averaged properties on ensembles can hardly be dissected from binders or additives. We here report the direct measurement of the oxygen evolution reaction at single superparticles self-assembled from ∼8 nm NiFe2O4 and/or ∼4 nm Au nanocrystals using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Combined with coordinated scanning electron microscopy, it is found that the turnover frequency (TOF) estimated from single NiFe2O4 superparticles at 1.92 V vs RHE ranges from 0.2 to 11 s-1 and is sensitive to size only when it is smaller than ∼800 nm in diameter. After the incorporation of Au nanocrystals, the TOF increases by ∼6-fold and levels off with further increasing Au content. Our study demonstrates the first direct single entity electrochemical study on individual nanocrystal superlattices with tunable structures and unravels the intrinsic structure-activity relationship that is not accessible by other methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxi Lu
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Mingzhong Li
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Yu Peng
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiangyun Xi
- Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Man Li
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qianjin Chen
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Angang Dong
- Department of Chemistry and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Catalysis and Innovative Materials, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
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40
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Jagdale GS, Choi MH, Siepser NP, Jeong S, Wang Y, Skalla RX, Huang K, Ye X, Baker LA. Electrospray deposition for single nanoparticle studies. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2021; 13:4105-4113. [PMID: 34554166 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay01295a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Single entity electrochemical (SEE) studies that can probe activities and heterogeneity in activities at nanoscale require samples that contain single and isolated particles. Single, isolated nanoparticles are achieved here with electrospray deposition of colloidal nanoparticle solutions, with simple instrumentation. Role of three electrospray (ES) parameters, viz. spray distance (emitter tip-to-substrate distance), ES current and emitter tip diameter, in the ES deposition of single Au nano-octahedra (Au ODs) is examined. The ES deposition of single, isolated Au ODs are analyzed in terms of percentage of single NPs and local surface density of deposition. The local surface density of ES deposition of single Au ODs was found to increase with decrease in spray distance and emitter tip diameter, and increase in ES current. While the percentage of single particle ES deposition increased with increase in spray distance and decrease in emitter tip size. No significant change in the single Au ODs ES deposition percentage was observed with change in ES current values included in this study. The most favourable conditions in the ES deposition of Au ODs in this study resulted in the local surface density of 0.26 ± 0.05 single particles per μm2 and observation of 96.3% single Au OD deposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gargi S Jagdale
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Myung-Hoon Choi
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Natasha P Siepser
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Soojin Jeong
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Rebecca X Skalla
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Kaixiang Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Xingchen Ye
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
| | - Lane A Baker
- Department of Chemistry, Indiana University, 800 E Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN 47408, USA.
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Liu Y, Lu X, Peng Y, Chen Q. Electrochemical Visualization of Gas Bubbles on Superaerophobic Electrodes Using Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy. Anal Chem 2021; 93:12337-12345. [PMID: 34460230 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c02099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Electrocatalytic gas evolution reactions, where gaseous molecules are electrogenerated by reduction or oxidation of a species, play a central role in many energy conversion systems. Superaerophobic electrodes, usually constructed by their surface microstructures, have demonstrated excellent performance for electrochemical gas evolution reactions due to their bubble-repellent properties. Understanding and quantification of the gas bubble behavior including nucleation and dynamics on such microstructured electrodes is an important but underexplored issue. In this study, we reported a scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) investigation of individual gas bubble nucleation and dynamics on nanoscale electrodes. A classic Pt film and a nonconventional transition-metal dichalcogenide MoS2 film with different surface topologies were employed as model substrates for both H2 and N2 bubble electrochemical studies. Interestingly, the nanostructured catalyst surface exhibit significantly less supersaturation for gas bubble nucleation and a notable increase of bubble detachment compared to its flat counterpart. Electrochemical mapping results reveal that there is no clear correlation between bubble nucleation and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity, regardless of local electrode surface microstructures. Our results also indicate that while the hydrophobicity of the nanostructured MoS2 surface promotes bubble nucleation, it has little effect on bubble dynamics. This work introduces a new method for nanobubble electrochemistry on broadly interesting catalysts and suggests that the deliberate microstructure on a catalyst surface is a promising strategy for improving electrocatalytic gas evolution both in terms of bubble nucleation and elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Liu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiaoxi Lu
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yu Peng
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Qianjin Chen
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
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42
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Saha P, Rahman MM, Hill CM. Borohydride oxidation electrocatalysis at individual, shape‐controlled Au nanoparticles. ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/elsa.202100120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Partha Saha
- Department of Chemistry University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
| | | | - Caleb M. Hill
- Department of Chemistry University of Wyoming Laramie Wyoming USA
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43
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Li Y, Morel A, Gallant D, Mauzeroll J. Ag + Interference from Ag/AgCl Wire Quasi-Reference Counter Electrode Inducing Corrosion Potential Shift in an Oil-Immersed Scanning Micropipette Contact Method Measurement. Anal Chem 2021; 93:9657-9662. [PMID: 34236831 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c01045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Quantitative scanning micropipette contact method measurements are subject to the deleterious effects of reference electrode interference. The commonly used Ag/AgCl wire quasi-reference counter electrode in the miniaturized electrochemical cell of the scanning micropipette contact method was found to leak Ag+ into the electrolyte solution. The reduction of these Ag+ species at the working electrode surface generates a faradaic current, which significantly affects the low magnitude currents inherently measured in the scanning micropipette contact method. We demonstrate that, during the microscopic corrosion investigation of the AA7075-T73 alloy using the oil-immersed scanning micropipette contact method, the cathodic current was increased by the Ag+ reduction, resulting in positive shifts of corrosion potentials. The use of a leak-free Ag/AgCl electrode or an extended distance between the Ag/AgCl wire and micropipette tip droplet eliminated the Ag+ contamination, making it possible to measure accurate corrosion potentials during the oil-immersed scanning micropipette contact method measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanjiao Li
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Alban Morel
- Automotive and Surface Transportation Research Centre, Division of Transportation and Manufacturing, National Research Council Canada, Aluminum Technology Center, 501 University Blvd. East, Saguenay, Quebec G7H 8C3, Canada
| | - Danick Gallant
- Automotive and Surface Transportation Research Centre, Division of Transportation and Manufacturing, National Research Council Canada, Aluminum Technology Center, 501 University Blvd. East, Saguenay, Quebec G7H 8C3, Canada
| | - Janine Mauzeroll
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, Quebec H3A 0B8, Canada
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44
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Mariano RG, Kang M, Wahab OJ, McPherson IJ, Rabinowitz JA, Unwin PR, Kanan MW. Microstructural origin of locally enhanced CO 2 electroreduction activity on gold. NATURE MATERIALS 2021; 20:1000-1006. [PMID: 33737727 DOI: 10.1038/s41563-021-00958-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the bulk structure of a material affects catalysis on its surface is critical to the development of actionable catalyst design principles. Bulk defects have been shown to affect electrocatalytic materials that are important for energy conversion systems, but the structural origins of these effects have not been fully elucidated. Here we use a combination of high-resolution scanning electrochemical cell microscopy and electron backscatter diffraction to visualize the potential-dependent electrocatalytic carbon dioxide [Formula: see text] electroreduction and hydrogen [Formula: see text] evolution activity on Au electrodes and probe the effects of bulk defects. Comparing colocated activity maps and videos to the underlying microstructure and lattice deformation supports a model in which CO2 electroreduction is selectively enhanced by surface-terminating dislocations, which can accumulate at grain boundaries and slip bands. Our results suggest that the deliberate introduction of dislocations into materials is a promising strategy for improving catalytic properties.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Ian J McPherson
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - Patrick R Unwin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK.
| | - Matthew W Kanan
- Department of Chemistry, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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45
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Bentley CL. Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy for the study of (nano)particle electrochemistry: From the sub‐particle to ensemble level. ELECTROCHEMICAL SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/elsa.202100081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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46
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Mefford JT, Akbashev AR, Kang M, Bentley CL, Gent WE, Deng HD, Alsem DH, Yu YS, Salmon NJ, Shapiro DA, Unwin PR, Chueh WC. Correlative operando microscopy of oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. Nature 2021; 593:67-73. [PMID: 33953412 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03454-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 58.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Transition metal (oxy)hydroxides are promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction1-3. The properties of these materials evolve dynamically and heterogeneously4 with applied voltage through ion insertion redox reactions, converting materials that are inactive under open circuit conditions into active electrocatalysts during operation5. The catalytic state is thus inherently far from equilibrium, which complicates its direct observation. Here, using a suite of correlative operando scanning probe and X-ray microscopy techniques, we establish a link between the oxygen evolution activity and the local operational chemical, physical and electronic nanoscale structure of single-crystalline β-Co(OH)2 platelet particles. At pre-catalytic voltages, the particles swell to form an α-CoO2H1.5·0.5H2O-like structure-produced through hydroxide intercalation-in which the oxidation state of cobalt is +2.5. Upon increasing the voltage to drive oxygen evolution, interlayer water and protons de-intercalate to form contracted β-CoOOH particles that contain Co3+ species. Although these transformations manifest heterogeneously through the bulk of the particles, the electrochemical current is primarily restricted to their edge facets. The observed Tafel behaviour is correlated with the local concentration of Co3+ at these reactive edge sites, demonstrating the link between bulk ion-insertion and surface catalytic activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Tyler Mefford
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
| | - Andrew R Akbashev
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA
| | - Minkyung Kang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | | | - William E Gent
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Haitao D Deng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | | | - Young-Sang Yu
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | | | - David A Shapiro
- Advanced Light Source, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Patrick R Unwin
- Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Coventry, UK
| | - William C Chueh
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. .,Stanford Institute for Materials and Energy Sciences, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, CA, USA.
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47
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Linnemann J, Kanokkanchana K, Tschulik K. Design Strategies for Electrocatalysts from an Electrochemist’s Perspective. ACS Catal 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acscatal.0c04118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Julia Linnemann
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, ZEMOS, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Kannasoot Kanokkanchana
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, ZEMOS, 44801 Bochum, Germany
| | - Kristina Tschulik
- Faculty of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry II, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, ZEMOS, 44801 Bochum, Germany
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48
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JIN C, LIU YL, SHAN Y, CHEN QJ. Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscope Study of Individual H2 Gas Bubble Nucleation on Platinum: Effect of Surfactants. CHINESE JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2040(21)60096-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
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49
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Liu Y, Jin C, Liu Y, Ruiz KH, Ren H, Fan Y, White HS, Chen Q. Visualization and Quantification of Electrochemical H 2 Bubble Nucleation at Pt, Au, and MoS 2 Substrates. ACS Sens 2021; 6:355-363. [PMID: 32449344 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.0c00913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Electrolytic gas evolution is a significant phenomenon in many electrochemical technologies from water splitting, chloralkali process to fuel cells. Although it is known that gas evolution may substantially affect the ohmic resistance and mass transfer, studies focusing on the electrochemistry of individual bubbles are critical but also challenging. Here, we report an approach using scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) with a single channel pipet to quantitatively study individual gas bubble nucleation on different electrode substrates, including conventional polycrystalline Pt and Au films, as well as the most interesting two-dimensional semiconductor MoS2. Due to the confinement effect of the pipet, well-defined peak-shaped voltammetric features associated with single bubble nucleation and growth are consistently observed. From stochastic bubble nucleation measurement and finite element simulation, the surface H2 concentration corresponding to bubble nucleation is estimated to be ∼218, 137, and 157 mM, with critical nuclei contact angles of ∼156°, ∼161°, and ∼160° at polycrystalline Pt, Au, and MoS2 substrates, respectively. We further demonstrated the surface faceting at polycrystalline Pt is not specifically correlated with the bubble nucleation behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Liu
- Key Lab of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Cheng Jin
- Key Lab of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yuwen Liu
- College of Chemistry and Molecular Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Karla Hernandez Ruiz
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Hang Ren
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, United States
| | - Yuchi Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials, College of Materials Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Henry S. White
- Department of Chemistry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112, United States
| | - Qianjin Chen
- Key Lab of Science and Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
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50
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Hill JW, Hill CM. Directly visualizing carrier transport and recombination at individual defects within 2D semiconductors. Chem Sci 2021; 12:5102-5112. [PMID: 34163749 PMCID: PMC8179556 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc07033e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Two-dimensional semiconductors (2DSCs) are promising materials for a wide range of optoelectronic applications. While the fabrication of 2DSCs with thicknesses down to the monolayer limit has been demonstrated through a variety of routes, a robust understanding of carrier transport within these materials is needed to guide the rational design of improved practical devices. In particular, the influence of different types of structural defects on transport is critical, but difficult to interrogate experimentally. Here, a new approach to visualizing carrier transport within 2DSCs, Carrier Generation-Tip Collection Scanning Electrochemical Cell Microscopy (CG-TC SECCM), is described which is capable of providing information at the single-defect level. In this approach, carriers are locally generated within a material using a focused light source and detected as they drive photoelectrochemical reactions at a spatially-offset electrolyte interface created through contact with a pipet-based probe, allowing carrier transport across well-defined, µm-scale paths within a material to be directly interrogated. The efficacy of this approach is demonstrated through studies of minority carrier transport within mechanically-exfoliated n-type WSe2 nanosheets. CG-TC SECCM imaging experiments carried out within pristine basal planes revealed highly anisotropic hole transport, with in-plane and out-of-plane hole diffusion lengths of 2.8 µm and 5.8 nm, respectively. Experiments were also carried out to probe recombination across individual step edge defects within n-WSe2 which suggest a significant surface charge (∼5 mC m-2) exists at these defects, significantly influencing carrier transport. Together, these studies demonstrate a powerful new approach to visualizing carrier transport and recombination within 2DSCs, down to the single-defect level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua W Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Ave Laramie WY 82071 USA
| | - Caleb M Hill
- Department of Chemistry, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Ave Laramie WY 82071 USA
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