Understanding the Role of Surface Heterogeneities in Electrosynthesis Reactions

O Quinn Carvalho; Prajwal Adiga; Sri Krishna Murthy; John L Fulton; Oliver Y Gutiérrez; Kelsey A Stoerzinger

doi:10.1016/j.isci.2020.101814

Understanding the Role of Surface Heterogeneities in Electrosynthesis Reactions

iScience. 2020 Nov 18;23(12):101814. doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101814. eCollection 2020 Dec 18.

Authors

O Quinn Carvalho¹, Prajwal Adiga¹, Sri Krishna Murthy¹, John L Fulton², Oliver Y Gutiérrez², Kelsey A Stoerzinger^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
² Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA.

Abstract

In this perspective, we highlight the role of surface heterogeneity in electrosynthesis reactions. Heterogeneities may come in the form of distinct crystallographic facets, boundaries between facets or grains, or point defects. We approach this topic from a foundation of surface science, where signatures from model systems provide understanding of observations on more complex and higher-surface-area materials. In parallel, probe-based techniques can inform directly on spatial variation across electrode surfaces. We call attention to the role spectroscopy can play in understanding the impact of these heterogeneities in electrocatalyst activity and selectivity, particularly where these surface features have effects extending into the electrolyte double layer.

Keywords: Chemistry; Electrochemistry; Materials Science; Surface Chemistry; Surface Science.

Publication types

Review