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Antony LS, Monin L, Aarts M, Alarcon-Llado E. Unveiling Nanoscale Heterogeneities at the Bias-Dependent Gold-Electrolyte Interface. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:12933-12940. [PMID: 38591960 PMCID: PMC11099963 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c11696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Electrified solid-liquid interfaces (SLIs) are extremely complex and dynamic, affecting both the dynamics and selectivity of reaction pathways at electrochemical interfaces. Enabling access to the structure and arrangement of interfacial water in situ with nanoscale resolution is essential to develop efficient electrocatalysts. Here, we probe the SLI energy of a polycrystalline Au(111) electrode in a neutral aqueous electrolyte through in situ electrochemical atomic force microscopy. We acquire potential-dependent maps of the local interfacial adhesion forces, which we associate with the formation energy of the electric double layer. We observe nanoscale inhomogeneities of interfacial adhesion force across the entire map area, indicating local differences in the ordering of the solvent/ions at the interface. Anion adsorption has a clear influence on the observed interfacial adhesion forces. Strikingly, the adhesion forces exhibit potential-dependent hysteresis, which depends on the local gold grain curvature. Our findings on a model electrode extend the use of scanning probe microscopy to gain insights into the local molecular arrangement of the SLI in situ, which can be extended to other electrocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mark Aarts
- Leiden
Institute of Chemistry, Leiden University, Leiden 2333 CC, The Netherlands
| | - Esther Alarcon-Llado
- AMOLF, Amsterdam 1098 XG, The Netherlands
- Van’t
Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences, University
of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1090, GD, The Netherlands
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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: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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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Luo Y, Wu Z, Guan Q, Chen S, Wu D. Facile synthesis of magnetic porous carbon nanosheets as efficient As(III) adsorbent. CHEMICAL PAPERS 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s11696-022-02410-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Boudet A, Henrotte O, Limani N, El Orf F, Oswald F, Jousselme B, Cornut R. Unraveling the Link between Catalytic Activity and Agglomeration State with Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy. Anal Chem 2022; 94:1697-1704. [PMID: 35020356 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.1c04256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In this article, we set up a methodology to investigate the relationship between the catalytic activity and the agglomeration state of platinum group metal-free ORR catalysts. To this end, we have developed a statistical approach based on scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Two catalysts are investigated at very low loadings in order to access their intrinsic activity. Differences in terms of dispersion, stability of the inks, and adherence on the substrate are observed, highlighting the importance of measuring the exact amount and agglomeration state of the materials under study. The agglomeration state of the deposits measured by AFM explains the differences in activity measured by SECM. The performances of the catalysts are compared, and the contributions of the intrinsic activity and the agglomeration state are identified. This work paves the way toward various applications ranging from the benchmarking of new catalysts to the optimization of an ink formulation, for ORR and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Boudet
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Olivier Henrotte
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Ndrina Limani
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Fatima El Orf
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Frédéric Oswald
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Bruno Jousselme
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
| | - Renaud Cornut
- Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, CNRS, NIMBE, LICSEN, 91191 Gif-sur-Yvette, France
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A Review: Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) for Visualizing the Real-Time Local Catalytic Activity. Catalysts 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/catal11050594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is a powerful scanning probe technique for measuring the in situ electrochemical reactions occurring at various sample interfaces, such as the liquid-liquid, solid-liquid, and liquid-gas. The tip/probe of SECM is usually an ultramicroelectrode (UME) or a nanoelectrode that can move towards or over the sample of interest controlled by a precise motor positioning system. Remarkably, electrocatalysts play a crucial role in addressing the surge in global energy consumption by providing sustainable alternative energy sources. Therefore, the precise measurement of catalytic reactions offers profound insights for designing novel catalysts as well as for enhancing their performance. SECM proves to be an excellent tool for characterization and screening catalysts as the probe can rapidly scan along one direction over the sample array containing a large number of different compositions. These features make SECM more appealing than other conventional methodologies for assessing bulk solutions. SECM can be employed for investigating numerous catalytic reactions including the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), water oxidation, glucose oxidation reaction (GOR), and CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) with high spatial resolution. Moreover, for improving the catalyst design, several SECM modes can be applied based on the catalytic reactions under evaluation. This review aims to present a brief overview of the recent applications of electrocatalysts and their kinetics as well as catalytic sites in electrochemical reactions, such as oxygen reduction, water oxidation, and methanol oxidation.
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Atomic force microscopy - Scanning electrochemical microscopy (AFM-SECM) for nanoscale topographical and electrochemical characterization: Principles, applications and perspectives. Electrochim Acta 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Kolagatla S, Subramanian P, Schechter A. Simultaneous Mapping of Oxygen Reduction Activity and Hydrogen Peroxide Generation on Electrocatalytic Surfaces. CHEMSUSCHEM 2019; 12:2708-2714. [PMID: 30972916 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201900656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2019] [Revised: 04/04/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Electrochemical scanning probe microscopies have become valuable experimental tools, owing to their capability of capturing topographic features in addition to mapping the electrochemical activity of nanoscale oxygen reduction catalysts. However, most scanning probe techniques lack the ability to correlate topographic features with the electrochemical oxygen reduction and peroxide formation in real time. In this report, we show that it is indeed possible to construct high-resolution catalytic current maps at an electrified solid-liquid interface by placing a specially made Au-coated SiO2 Pt atomic force microscopy and scanning electrochemical microscopy (AFM-SECM) dual electrode tip approximately 4-8 nm above the reaction center. The catalytic current measured every 16 nm and high collection efficiency (≈90 %) of the reverse current of peroxide byproducts was also demonstrated with the help of the dual electrode tip. Simultaneous oxygen reduction and intermediate peroxide oxidation current mapping was demonstrated using this Au-coated SiO2 Pt probe on two model surfaces, namely highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and Pt nanoparticles (NPs) supported on a glassy carbon surface.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Alex Schechter
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel, 40700, Israel
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Wang X, Gong X, Peng L, Yang Z, Liu Y. Tubular nitrogen-doped carbon materials derived from green foxtail as a metal-free electrocatalyst in microbial fuel cells for efficient electron generation. Bioelectrochemistry 2019; 127:104-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bioelechem.2019.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2018] [Revised: 01/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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Improvement of Microbial Electrolysis Cell Activity by Using Anode Based on Combined Plasma-Pretreated Carbon Cloth and Stainless Steel. ENERGIES 2019. [DOI: 10.3390/en12101968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The anode activity in a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) is known to be a limiting factor in hydrogen production. In this study, the MEC was constructed using different anode materials and a platinum-coated carbon-cloth cathode (CC). The anodes were comprised of CC, stainless steel (SS), and a combination of the two (COMB). The CC and SS anodes were also treated with plasma to improve their surface morphology and hydrophilic properties (CCP and SSP, respectively). A combined version of CCP attached to SS was also applied (COMBP). After construction of the MEC using the different anodes, we conducted electrochemical measurements and examination of biofilm viability. Under an applied voltage of 0.6 V (Ag/AgCl), the currents of a MEC based on CCP and COMBP were 11.66 ± 0.1331 and 16.36 ± 0.3172 A m−2, respectively, which are about three times higher compared to the untreated CC and COMB. A MEC utilizing an untreated SS anode exhibited current of only 0.3712 ± 0.0108 A m−2. The highest biofilm viability of 0.92 OD540 ± 0.07 and hydrogen production rate of 0.0736 ± 0.0022 m3 d−1 m−2 at 0.8 V were obtained in MECs based on the COMBP anode. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluated the effect of plasma-treated anodes and the use of a combined anode composed of SS and CC for hydrogen evolution in a MEC.
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Li J, Doubek G, McMillon-Brown L, Taylor AD. Recent Advances in Metallic Glass Nanostructures: Synthesis Strategies and Electrocatalytic Applications. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2019; 31:e1802120. [PMID: 30589105 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201802120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in metallic glass nanostructures (MGNs) are reported, covering a wide array of synthesis strategies, computational discovery, and design solutions that provide insight into distinct electrocatalytic applications. A brief introduction to the development and unique features of MGNs with an overview of top-down and bottom-up synthesis strategies is presented. Specifically, the morphology and structural analysis of several examples applying MGNs as electrodes are highlighted. Subsequently, a comprehensive discussion of commonly employed kinetic parameters and their connection with the unique material structures of MGNs on individual electrocatalytic reactions is made, including the hydrogen evolution reaction, oxygen reduction reaction, and alcohol (methanol or ethanol) oxidation reaction. Finally, a summary of the challenges and perspective on the future research and development relevant to MGNs as electrocatalysts is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinyang Li
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Technologies of Materials (Ministry of Education), School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, 610031, P. R. China
| | - Gustavo Doubek
- University of Campinas (UNICAMP), School of Chemical Engineering, Center for Innovation on New Energies (CINE), Campinas, SP, 13083-852, Brazil
| | - Lyndsey McMillon-Brown
- Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - André D Taylor
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, 6 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA
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