Unraveling the synergistic effects of Cu-Ag tandem catalysts during electrochemical CO2 reduction using nanofocused X-ray probes

• 发表在: Nature Communications
• Main Authors: Marvin L. Frisch, Longfei Wu, Clément Atlan, Zhe Ren, Madeleine Han, Rémi Tucoulou, Liang Liang, Jiasheng Lu, An Guo, Hong Nhan Nong, Aleks Arinchtein, Michael Sprung, Julie Villanova, Marie-Ingrid Richard, Peter Strasser
• 格式: 文件
• 语言: 英语
• 出版: Nature Portfolio 2023-11-01
• 在线阅读: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-023-43693-2

Abstract Controlling the selectivity of the electrocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide into value-added chemicals continues to be a major challenge. Bulk and surface lattice strain in nanostructured electrocatalysts affect catalytic activity and selectivity. Here, we unravel the complex dynamics of synergistic lattice strain and stability effects of Cu-Ag tandem catalysts through a previously unexplored combination of in situ nanofocused X-ray absorption spectroscopy and Bragg coherent diffraction imaging. Three-dimensional strain maps reveal the lattice dynamics inside individual nanoparticles as a function of applied potential and product yields. Dynamic relations between strain, redox state, catalytic activity and selectivity are derived. Moderate Ag contents effectively reduce the competing evolution of H2 and, concomitantly, lead to an enhanced corrosion stability. Findings from this study evidence the power of advanced nanofocused spectroscopy techniques to provide new insights into the chemistry and structure of nanostructured catalysts.