Nanoscale Electron Transfer Variations at Electrocatalyst-Electrolyte Interfaces Resolved by in Situ Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy.

ABSTRACT: Rational innovation of electrocatalysts requires detailed knowledge of spatial property variations across the solid-electrolyte interface. We introduce correlative atomic force microscopy (AFM) to simultaneously probe, in situ and at the nanoscale, electrical conductivity, chemical-frictional, and morphological properties of a bimetallic copper-gold system for CO₂ electroreduction. In air, water, and bicarbonate electrolyte, current-voltage curves reveal resistive CuO_x islands in line with local current contrasts, while frictional imaging indicates qualitative variations in the hydration layer molecular ordering upon change from water to electrolyte. Nanoscale current contrast on polycrystalline Au shows resistive grain boundaries and electrocatalyticall

SUBMITTER: Munz M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9999420 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature