Chinese Journal of Catalysis ›› 2024, Vol. 62: 32-52.DOI: 10.1016/S1872-2067(24)60068-9

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Progress in tracking electrochemical CO2 reduction intermediates over single-atom catalysts using operando ATR-SEIRAS

Jing Yana, Jiaqi Nia, Hongli Suna,*(), Chenliang Sua,*(), Bin Liub,c,*()   

  1. aInternational Collaboration Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronics Science and Technology of Ministry of Education, Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China
    bDepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
    cDepartment of Chemistry, Hong Kong Institute of Clean Energy (HKICE) & Center of Super-Diamond and Advanced Films (COSDAF), City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR 999077, China
  • Received:2024-03-21 Accepted:2024-05-27 Online:2024-07-18 Published:2024-07-10
  • Contact: E-mail: hlsun@szu.edu.cn (H. Sun), chmsuc@szu.edu.cn (C. Su), bliu48@cityu.edu.hk (B. Liu).
  • About author:Hongli Sun (Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University) received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Wuhan University of Technology, China in 2013 and 2016, respectively, and completed his doctoral degree at the Chinese University of Hongkong in 2019. After spending two years as postdoctoral fellow in Shenzhen University, China, she joined Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics at Shenzhen University as an Assistant Professor in March 2023. Her research focuses on photo(electro)catalysis for energy conversion and environmental remediation and in-situ/operando characterizations.
    Chenliang Su (Institute of Microscale Optoelectronics, Shenzhen University) received his BS degree (2005) and PhD degree (2010) in the Department of Chemistry from Zhejiang University of China (2010). After that he worked as a research fellow at the Advanced 2D Materials and Graphene Research Centre in the National University of Singapore (2010-2015). He is now a full-professor at the International Collaborative Laboratory of 2D Materials for Optoelectronics Science and Technology (ICL-2D MOST), Shenzhen University and a Principal Investigator of ICL-2D MOST in materials science. His current interests focus on the chemical design of nano materials for catalysis and energy related applications.
    Bin Liu (Department of Materials Science and Engineering, City University of Hong Kong) received his bachelor of engineering (1st Class Honours) and master of engineering degrees at the National University of Singapore, Singapore in 2002 and 2004, respectively, and completed his doctoral degree at the University of Minnesota, USA in 2011. After spending a year as postdoctoral fellow in the University of California Berkeley, USA, he joined School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering at Nanyang Technological University as an Assistant Professor in June 2012 and was promoted to Associate Professor in March 2017. In February 2023, Professor Liu joined the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at City University of Hong Kong as a Professor. His research focuses on photo(electro)catalysis and in-situ/operando characterization.
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation of China(21972094);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22102102);National Natural Science Foundation of China(22372102);Educational Commission of Guangdong Province(839-0000013131);Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(RCJC20200714114434086);City University of Hong Kong start up fund, and the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation(2020A1515010982);China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(2023M742395);Shenzhen Science and Technology Program(20231122120657001);Shenzhen University Start Up Fund, Shenzhen Peacock Plan(20210308299C);Research Team Cultivation Program of Shenzhen University(2023QNT013)

Abstract:

Owing to the multiple proton-coupled electron transfer steps involved in the electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR), single-atom catalysts (SACs) are ideal platforms for studying such complex chemical reaction processes. The structural simplicity and homogeneity of SACs facilitate the understanding of the structure-performance relationship and reaction mechanisms of the CO2RR. Operando attenuated total reflection surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (ATR-SEIRAS) is a valuable tool to identify the dynamic intermediate transformation processes in the CO2RR occurring on SACs and to study the impact of local reaction environments on the CO2RR performance. This article reviews operando ATR-SEIRAS and its key applications in the SAC-catalyzed CO2RR. The review briefly introduces the surface enhancement mechanism of electrochemical in situ infrared spectroscopy, formation mechanisms of the C1 and C2 products, function of operando ATR-SEIRAS in investigating the mechanisms of single-/dual-atom catalysts in converting CO2/CO to C1 and C2 products, and methods of using spectroscopic information to determine the interfacial H2O and local pH at the electrode. Finally, the review provides perspectives on the future development of operando ATR-SEIRAS.

Key words: Electrochemical carbon dioxide, reduction, Single-atom catalyst, Electrochemical operando attenuated, total reflection surface-enhanced, infrared absorption spectroscopy, Reaction dynamic transformation, processes, Interfacial H2O