1:30 PM - 2:00 PM
▲ [13p-N201-1] Understanding selectivity and stability of nanocatalyst for electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction
Keywords:CO2 reduction reaction, Electrocatalyst
When it comes to the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) to products such as CO, formic acid, or C2+ chemicals, multiple reaction pathways and reaction intermediates are shared and thus product distribution is sensitively affected by nanostructured active sites both in a conventional H-cell as well as a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) electrolyzer. Understanding intrinsic and extrinsic factors are important to achieve selective CO2RR to target product.
In this talk, I will discuss our recent efforts to understand the morphology changes of the nanocatalyst during CO2RR. Thin layer of carbon based material is introduced on the catalyst surface which can modulate the mass transfer of proton sources, and thus selective CO production can be achieved by decreasing the access of the proton near the active sites. Meanwhile, the high surface energy of the nanocatalyst can be a driving force to cause strong interaction with the reactant or intermediate and thus to induce unexpected morphology changes over the catalytic reactions. Identical location transmission electrode microscopic studies have revealed the Ag nanoparticle can experience morphology changes, and there is high correlation between the particle fragmentation and deactivation of CO2RR to CO production. On the other hand, Cu-based catalysts can experience the morphology changes during pre-treatment step and reduction reaction conditions, and increasing the domain boundaries can contribute to enhanced activity for CO2RR over HER. Therefore, the morphology changes of the catalysts should not be underestimated to achieve long-term durability.
In this talk, I will discuss our recent efforts to understand the morphology changes of the nanocatalyst during CO2RR. Thin layer of carbon based material is introduced on the catalyst surface which can modulate the mass transfer of proton sources, and thus selective CO production can be achieved by decreasing the access of the proton near the active sites. Meanwhile, the high surface energy of the nanocatalyst can be a driving force to cause strong interaction with the reactant or intermediate and thus to induce unexpected morphology changes over the catalytic reactions. Identical location transmission electrode microscopic studies have revealed the Ag nanoparticle can experience morphology changes, and there is high correlation between the particle fragmentation and deactivation of CO2RR to CO production. On the other hand, Cu-based catalysts can experience the morphology changes during pre-treatment step and reduction reaction conditions, and increasing the domain boundaries can contribute to enhanced activity for CO2RR over HER. Therefore, the morphology changes of the catalysts should not be underestimated to achieve long-term durability.