On the origin of the elusive first intermediate of CO₂ electroreduction.

ABSTRACT: We resolve the long-standing controversy about the first step of the CO₂ electroreduction to fuels in aqueous electrolytes by providing direct spectroscopic evidence that the first intermediate of the CO₂ conversion to formate on copper is a carboxylate anion *CO₂ ^- coordinated to the surface through one of its C-O bonds. We identify this intermediate and gain insight into its formation, its chemical and electronic properties, as well as its dependence on the electrode potential by taking advantage of a cutting-edge methodology that includes operando surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) empowered by isotope exchange and electrochemical Stark effects, reaction kinetics (Tafel) analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The SERS

SUBMITTER: Chernyshova IV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6176638 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature