The Potential of Zero Charge and the Electrochemical Interface Structure of Cu(111) in Alkaline Solutions.

ABSTRACT: Copper (Cu) is a unique electrocatalyst, which is able to efficiently oxidize CO at very low overpotentials and reduce CO₂ to valuable fuels with reasonable Faradaic efficiencies. Yet, knowledge of its electrochemical properties at the solid/liquid interface is still scarce. Here, we present the first two-stranded correlation of the potential of zero free charge (pzfc) of Cu(111) in alkaline electrolyte at different pH values through application of nanosecond laser pulses and the corresponding interfacial structure changes by in situ electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy imaging. The pzfc of Cu(111) at pH 13 is identified at -0.73 V_SHE in the apparent double layer region, prior to the onset of hydroxide adsorption. It shifts by (88 ± 4) mV to more posit

SUBMITTER: Auer A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8016203 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature