Multiscale X-ray scattering elucidates activation and deactivation of oxide-derived copper electrocatalysts for CO reduction.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO) into sustainable fuels and base chemicals requires precise control over and understanding of activity, selectivity and stability descriptors of the electrocatalyst under operation. Identification of the active phase under working conditions, but also deactivation factors after prolonged operation, are of the utmost importance to further improve electrocatalysts for electrochemical CO conversion. Here, we present a multiscale in situ investigation of activation and deactivation pathways of oxide-derived copper electrocatalysts under CO reduction conditions.

Interrogation of Oxidative Pulsed Methods for the Stabilization of Copper Electrodes for CO Electrolysis.

Using copper (Cu) as an electrocatalyst uniquely produces multicarbon products (C-products) during the CO reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the CO2RR stability of Cu is presently 3 orders of magnitude shorter than required for commercial operation. One means of substantially increasing Cu catalyst lifetimes is through periodic oxidative processes, such as cathodic-anodic pulsing.

Alternative nano-lithographic tools for shell-isolated nanoparticle enhanced Raman spectroscopy substrates.

Chemically synthesized metal nanoparticles (MNPs) have been widely used as surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) substrates for monitoring catalytic reactions. In some applications, however, the SERS MNPs, besides being plasmonically active, can also be catalytically active and result in Raman signals from undesired side products. The MNPs are typically insulated with a thin (∼3 nm), in principle pin-hole-free shell to prevent this.