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
Affiliations
O. Quinn Carvalho
School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Prajwal Adiga
School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
Sri Krishna Murthy
School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
John L. Fulton
Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
Oliver Y. Gutiérrez
Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA
Kelsey A. Stoerzinger
School of Chemical, Biological and Environmental Engineering, Oregon State University, 116 Johnson Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA; Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, P.O. Box 999, Richland, WA 99352, USA; Corresponding author
Summary: 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.
