Structure- and Potential-Dependent Cation Effects on CO Reduction at Copper Single-Crystal Electrodes.

ABSTRACT: The complexity of the electrocatalytic reduction of CO to CH₄ and C₂H₄ on copper electrodes prevents a straightforward elucidation of the reaction mechanism and the design of new and better catalysts. Although structural and electrolyte effects have been separately studied, there are no reports on structure-sensitive cation effects on the catalyst's selectivity over a wide potential range. Therefore, we investigated CO reduction on Cu(100), Cu(111), and Cu(polycrystalline) electrodes in 0.1 M alkaline hydroxide electrolytes (LiOH, NaOH, KOH, RbOH, CsOH) between 0 and -1.5 V vs RHE. We used online electrochemical mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography to determine the product distribution as a function of electrode structure, cation siz

SUBMITTER: Perez-Gallent E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5691319 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature