Publications by authors named "Firas Faisal"
Co oxides and oxyhydroxides have been studied extensively in the past as promising electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in neutral to alkaline media. Earlier studies showed the formation of an ultrathin CoO (OH) skin layer on CoO at potentials above 1.15 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE), but the precise influence of this skin layer on the OER reactivity is still under debate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFModel studies at complex, yet well-defined electrodes can provide a better understanding of electrocatalytic reactions. New experimental devices are required to prepare such model electrocatalysts with atomic-level control. In this work, we discuss the design of a new setup, which enables the preparation of well-defined electrocatalysts in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) using the full portfolio of surface science techniques.
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- Studied the impact of particle size on model catalysts in ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and electrochemical conditions, creating nanoparticles of platinum (Pt) on a cobalt oxide (Co3O4) film.
- Characterized the catalysts using advanced techniques like scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), confirming stability in electrochemical environments.
- Found significant differences in CO adsorption characteristics between UHV and electrochemical conditions, with various shifts and broadening in infrared spectra related to particle size and local electric fields.
Article Synopsis
- Electrocatalysis is crucial for transitioning to renewable energy systems, with many technologies relying on these processes for energy storage and conversion.
- There is a gap in our understanding of electrocatalysis compared to traditional heterogeneous catalysis, prompting the need for new research strategies.
- A novel approach involves 'electrifying' model catalysts made from complex oxides to study their behavior in electrochemical environments, revealing new insights into metal-support interactions and catalysis mechanisms.
Understanding the correlation between structure and reactivity of oxide surfaces is vital for the rational design of catalytic materials. In this work, we demonstrate the exceptional degree of structure sensitivity of the water dissociation reaction for one of the most important materials in catalysis and electrocatalysis. We studied HO on two atomically defined cobalt oxide surfaces, CoO(100) and CoO(111).
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