Electrochemical interface is the focal point where essential components, i.e., chemicals, ions and electrons, of electrochemical reactions converge, interact and diverge, and thus is key to the performance of electrochemical devices. However, there is a significant intellectual gap in the understanding of potential-dependent behavior of electrochemical interfaces and its impact on electrode reactions. This lack of fundamental understanding poses severe challenges in the rational design of the next-generation high-performance electrochemical devices for energy conversion and storage. We employ attenuated total reflection – surface enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) to investigate the electrode surface mediated reactions, e.g., electrochemical reduction of CO<sub>2</sub>, and interplay between electrolytes and electrodes, e.g., the influence of nonspecific adsorption of cations on the adsorbates. The combination of isotopic labeling, in-situ spectroscopic and electrokinetic techniques is powerful in obtaining mechanistic information on surface-mediated electrochemical processes.

Central role of bicarbonate in the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide on gold

254th National Meeting (2017)

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