Publication

Real-time Monitoring Reveals Dissolution/Redeposition Mechanism in Copper Nanocatalysts during the Initial Stages of the CO2 Reduction Reaction

Abstract

Size, morphology, and surface sites of electrocatalysts have a major impact on their performance. Understanding how, when, and why these parameters change under operating conditions is of importance for designing stable, active, and selective catalysts. Herein, we study the reconstruction of a Cu-based nanocatalysts during the startup phase of the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction by combining results from electrochemical in situ transmission electron microscopy with operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy. We reveal that dissolution followed by redeposition, rather than coalescence, is the mechanism responsible for the size increase and morphology change of the electrocatalyst. Furthermore, we point out the key role played by the formation of copper oxides in the process. Understanding of the underlying processes opens a pathway to rational design of Cu electro (re)deposited catalysts and to stability improvement for catalysts fabricated by other methods.

About this result
This page is automatically generated and may contain information that is not correct, complete, up-to-date, or relevant to your search query. The same applies to every other page on this website. Please make sure to verify the information with EPFL's official sources.

Graph Chatbot

Chat with Graph Search

Ask any question about EPFL courses, lectures, exercises, research, news, etc. or try the example questions below.

DISCLAIMER: The Graph Chatbot is not programmed to provide explicit or categorical answers to your questions. Rather, it transforms your questions into API requests that are distributed across the various IT services officially administered by EPFL. Its purpose is solely to collect and recommend relevant references to content that you can explore to help you answer your questions.