Role of Surface Hydroxyls in Atomic-Scale Copper Restructuring during CO Electroreduction.

ABSTRACT: The nanoscale structure of electrocatalyst surfaces governs the selectivity and kinetics of reactions including CO₍₂₎ electroreduction (CO₍₂₎R). Yet, their evolution under reaction conditions remains elusive, and the roles of surface hydroxyls (OH_ad) and the interfacial microenvironment in surface restructuring are poorly understood. Combining electrochemical atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and grand canonical modeling, we reveal that OH_ad acts synergistically with CO_ad to restructure copper (Cu) electrocatalysts during COR. Mixed OH_ad/CO_ad coverage promotes lifting of surface atoms into metastable states, generating Cu adatoms and nanoclusters at mild cathodic potentials, which aggregate or dissolve

SUBMITTER: Wei J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12703730 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature