The electric double layer formed between an aqueous electrolyte and a metal electrode can profoundly alter the rates and selectivity of electrocatalytic processes. For example, seemingly chemically inert cations of the supporting electrolyte have been shown to impact the selectivity of the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons and the rate of the hydrogen evolution reaction at the Cu/electrolyte interface. However, a molecular level understanding of how the cations participate in these electrocatalytic processes remains unclear. While a number of hypotheses have been proposed, their experimental validation remains a challenging task. Herein, we combine electrokinetic analysis with surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) to elucidate the molecular-level mechanisms of how cations alter the energetics and mechanisms of electrochemical processes at the Cu/electrolyte interface. We will discuss the implication of these insights for the development of selective electrocatalytic interfaces for the reduction of carbon dioxide to hydrocarbons.

Effects of the electric double layer on electrocatalytic processes at the aqueous Cu/electrolyte interface

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.