The catalytic condenser uses a stacked design to stabilize electrons or holes in a film of catalytic material to manipulate surface reactions. The extent of charge condensation at the active catalyst surface alters the binding of adsorbates, thereby manipulating the surface reactant, product, and transition state energies. In this work, we describe the design, characterization, and implementation of catalytic condensers to control surface chemistry. Platinum nanoclusters deposited on graphene condense charge (electrons or holes) that are stabilized by countercharges on the opposite side of a thin ~70 nm HfO<sub>2</sub> film. This architecture results in most of the stabilized charge existing in the Pt active material rather than the graphene, with the graphene film acting only to transmit charge across the catalytic device. Impedance spectroscopy of the full device indicated that it could operate as fast as 3000 Hz without loss in total charge condensation, allowing for fast switching of the catalytic surface to promote reactions.

Mechanisms of surface chemistry control on catalytic condensers

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