Repository logo

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne

Infoscience

  • English
  • French
Log In
  1. Home
  2. Academic and Research Output
  3. Journal articles
  4. Insights into Electrocatalyst Transformations Studied in Real Time with Electrochemical Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy
 
review article

Insights into Electrocatalyst Transformations Studied in Real Time with Electrochemical Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy

Shen, Tzu-Hsien  
•
Girod, Robin  
•
Tileli, Vasiliki  
October 24, 2023
Accounts Of Chemical Research

The value of operando and in situ characterization methodologies for understanding electrochemical systems under operation can be inferred from the upsurge of studies that have reported mechanistic insights into electrocatalytic processes based on such measurements. Despite the widespread availability of performing dynamic experiments nowadays, these techniques are in their infancy because the complexity of the experimental design and the collection and analysis of data remain challenging, effectively necessitating future developments. It is also due to their extensive use that a dedicated modus operandi for acquiring dynamic electrocatalytic information is imperative. In this Account, we focus on the work of our laboratory on electrochemical liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (ec-LPTEM) to understand the transformation/activation of state-of-the-art nanocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and CO2 electroreduction (CO2ER). We begin by describing the development of electrochemical microcells for TEM studies, highlighting the importance of tailoring the system to each electrochemical process to obtain reliable results. Starting with the anodic OER for alkaline electrolyzers, we demonstrate the capability of real-time monitoring of the electrowetting behavior of Co-based oxide catalysts and detail the fascinating insights gained into solid-liquid interfaces for the reversible surface reconstruction of the catalystic surfaces and their degradation processes. Importantly, in the case of the OER, we report the exceptional capacity of ec-LPTEM to probe gaseous products and therefore resolve solid-liquid-gas phenomena. Moving toward the cathodic ORR for fuel cells, we summarize studies that pertain to the evaluation of the degradation mechanisms of Pt nanoparticles and discuss the issues with performing real-time measurements on realistic catalyst layers that are composed of the carbon support, ionomer network, and Pt nanocatalysts. For the most cathodic CO2ER, we first discuss the challenges of spatiotemporal data collection in microcells under these negative potentials. We then show that control over the electrochemical stimuli is critical for determining the mechanism of restructuring/dissolution of Cu nanospheres, either for focusing on the first stages of the reaction or for start/stop operation studies. Finally, we close this Account with the possible evolution in the way we visualize electrochemical processes with ec-LPTEM and emphasize the need for studies that bridge the scales with the ultimate goal of fully evaluating the impact of the insights obtained from the in situ-monitored processes on the operability of electrocatalytic devices.

  • Details
  • Metrics
Type
review article
DOI
10.1021/acs.accounts.3c00463
Web of Science ID

WOS:001101079800001

Author(s)
Shen, Tzu-Hsien  
Girod, Robin  
Tileli, Vasiliki  
Date Issued

2023-10-24

Publisher

Amer Chemical Soc

Published in
Accounts Of Chemical Research
Volume

56

Issue

21

Start page

3023

End page

3032

Subjects

Physical Sciences

•

Co2 Reduction

•

Cell

•

Catalysts

•

Design

•

Carbon

•

Degradation

•

Challenges

•

Operando

•

Alloy

•

Water

Editorial or Peer reviewed

REVIEWED

Written at

EPFL

EPFL units
INE  
FunderGrant Number

EPFL

Swiss National Research Foundation (SNF)

200021_175711

Available on Infoscience
February 19, 2024
Use this identifier to reference this record
https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/204205
Logo EPFL, École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne
  • Contact
  • infoscience@epfl.ch

  • Follow us on Facebook
  • Follow us on Instagram
  • Follow us on LinkedIn
  • Follow us on X
  • Follow us on Youtube
AccessibilityLegal noticePrivacy policyCookie settingsEnd User AgreementGet helpFeedback

Infoscience is a service managed and provided by the Library and IT Services of EPFL. © EPFL, tous droits réservés