Mechanistic insights into C-C coupling in electrochemical CO reduction using gold superlattices

Xiaoju Yang; Chao Rong; Li Zhang; Zhenkun Ye; Zhiming Wei; Chengdi Huang; Qiao Zhang; Qing Yuan; Yueming Zhai; Fu-Zhen Xuan; Bingjun Xu; Bowei Zhang; Xuan Yang

doi:10.1038/s41467-024-44923-x

Nature Communications (Jan 2024)

Mechanistic insights into C-C coupling in electrochemical CO reduction using gold superlattices

Xiaoju Yang,
Chao Rong,
Li Zhang,
Zhenkun Ye,
Zhiming Wei,
Chengdi Huang,
Qiao Zhang,
Qing Yuan,
Yueming Zhai,
Fu-Zhen Xuan,
Bingjun Xu,
Bowei Zhang,
Xuan Yang

Affiliations

Xiaoju Yang: Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Chao Rong: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Li Zhang: Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Zhenkun Ye: Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Zhiming Wei: The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University
Chengdi Huang: Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Qiao Zhang: The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University
Qing Yuan: Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Yueming Zhai: The Institute for Advanced Studies, Wuhan University
Fu-Zhen Xuan: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Bingjun Xu: College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University
Bowei Zhang: Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Sensing and Detection Technology, School of Mechanical and Power Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology
Xuan Yang: Key Laboratory of Material Chemistry for Energy Conversion and Storage, Huazhong University of Science and Technology

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44923-x
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 15, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Abstract Developing in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques with high sensitivity and reproducibility is of great importance for mechanistic investigations of surface-mediated electrochemical reactions. Herein, we report the fabrication of highly ordered rhombic gold nanocube superlattices (GNSs) as substrates for surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) with significantly enhanced SEIRA effect, which can be controlled by manipulating the randomness of GNSs. Finite difference time domain simulations reveal that the electromagnetic effect accounts for the significantly improved spectroscopic vibrations on the GNSs. In situ SEIRAS results show that the vibrations of CO on the Cu2O surfaces have been enhanced by 2.4 ± 0.5 and 18.0 ± 1.3 times using GNSs as substrates compared to those on traditional chemically deposited gold films in acidic and neutral electrolytes, respectively. Combined with isotopic labeling experiments, the reaction mechanisms for C-C coupling of CO electroreduction on Cu-based catalysts are revealed using the GNSs substrates.

Published in Nature Communications

ISSN: 2041-1723 (Online)
Publisher: Nature Portfolio
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Science
Website: https://www.nature.com/ncomms/

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