probing the dynamic reconstruction of copper-zinc electrocatalysts for CO reduction.

Unravelling the dynamic characterization of electrocatalysts during the electrochemical CO reduction reaction (CORR) is a critical factor to improve the production efficiency and selectivity, since most pre-electrocatalysts undergo structural reconstruction and surface rearrangement under working conditions. Herein, a series of pre-electrocatalysts including CuO, ZnO and two different ratios of CuO/ZnO were systematically designed by a sputtering process to clarify the correlation of the dynamic characterization of Cu sites in the presence of Zn/ZnO and the product profile. The evidence provided by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) indicated that appropriate Zn/ZnO levels could induce a variation in the coordination number of Cu sites reversing Ostwald ripening.

In Situ Identifying the Dynamic Structure behind Activity of Atomically Dispersed Platinum Catalyst toward Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Single-atom catalysts (SAs) with the maximum atom utilization and breakthrough activities toward hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) have attracted considerable research interests. Uncovering the nature of single-atom metal centers under operating electrochemical condition is highly significant for improving their catalytic performance, yet is poorly understood in most studies. Herein, Pt single atoms anchoring on the nitrogen-carbon substrate (Pt /N-C) as a model system are utilized to investigate the dynamic structure of Pt single-atom centers during the HER process.

In situ unraveling of the effect of the dynamic chemical state on selective CO reduction upon zinc electrocatalysts.

Unraveling the reaction mechanism behind the CO reduction reaction (CORR) is a crucial step for advancing the development of efficient and selective electrocatalysts to yield valuable chemicals. To understand the mechanism of zinc electrocatalysts toward the CORR, a series of thermally oxidized zinc foils is prepared to achieve a direct correlation between the chemical state of the electrocatalyst and product selectivity. The evidence provided by in situ Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray diffraction significantly demonstrates that the Zn(ii) and Zn(0) species on the surface are responsible for the production of carbon monoxide (CO) and formate, respectively.

In Situ Creation of Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Active Au-AuO Nanostructures through Electrochemical Process for Pigment Detection.

Roughing the metallic surface via oxidation-reduction cycles (ORC) to integrate the surface plasmon resonance and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is predominant in developing sensor systems because of the facile preparation and uniform distribution of nanostructures. Herein, we proposed a distinctive ORC process: the forward potential passed through the oxidation of Au and reached the oxygen evolution reaction, and once the potential briefly remained at the vertex, the various reverse rates were employed to control the reduction state. The created hybrid Au-AuO possessed electromagnetic and chemical enhancements concurrently, wherein the rough surface provided the strong local electromagnetic fields and significant interaction between AuO and molecule to improve the charge transfer.