Selective conversion of CO into ethanol on Cu(511) surface reconstructed from Cu(pc): Operando studies by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, mass spectrometry, quartz crystal nanobalance, and infrared spectroscopy

A polycrystalline copper, surface-terminated by a well-defined (511)-oriented facet, was electrochemically generated by a series of step-wise surface reconstruction and iterations of mild oxidative-reductive processes in 0.1 M KOH. The electrochemical reduction of CO on the resultant stepped surface was investigated by four surface-sensitive operando methodologies: electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN), differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), and polarization-modulation infrared spectroscopy (PMIRS). The stepped surface catalyzed the facile conversion of CO into ethanol, the exclusive alcohol product at a low overpotential of −1.06 V (SHE) or − 0.3 V (RHE). The chemisorption of CO was found to be a necessary prelude to ethanol production; i.e. the surface coverages, rather than solution concentrations, of CO and its surface-bound intermediates primarily dictate the reaction rates (current densities). Contrary to the expected predominance of undercoordinated step-site reactivity over the coordination chemistry of vicinal surfaces, vibrational spectroscopic evidence reveals the involvement of terrace-bound CO adsorbates during the multi-atomic transformations associated with the production of ethanol

Reprint of "Selective conversion of CO into ethanol on Cu(511) surface reconstructed from Cu(pc): Operando studies by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy, mass spectrometry, quartz crystal nanobalance, and infrared spectroscopy"

A polycrystalline copper, surface-terminated by a well-defined (511)-oriented facet, was electrochemically generated by a series of step-wise surface reconstruction and iterations of mild oxidative-reductive processes in 0.1 M KOH. The electrochemical reduction of CO on the resultant stepped surface was investigated by four surface-sensitive operando methodologies: electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance (EQCN), differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS), and polarization-modulation infrared spectroscopy (PMIRS). The stepped surface catalyzed the facile conversion of CO into ethanol, the exclusive alcohol product at a low overpotential of −1.06 V (SHE) or − 0.3 V (RHE). The chemisorption of CO was found to be a necessary prelude to ethanol production; i.e. the surface coverages, rather than solution concentrations, of CO and its surface-bound intermediates primarily dictate the reaction rates (current densities). Contrary to the expected predominance of undercoordinated step-site reactivity over the coordination chemistry of vicinal surfaces, vibrational spectroscopic evidence reveals the involvement of terrace-bound CO adsorbates during the multi-atomic transformations associated with the production of ethanol

Potential-Dependent Adsorption of CO and Its Low-Overpotential Reduction to CH_3CH_2OH on Cu(511) Surface Reconstructed from Cu(pc): Operando Studies by Seriatim STM-EQCN-DEMS

Operando scanning tunneling microscopy first revealed that application of a CO_2-reduction potential to a Cu(pc) electrode in 0.1 M KOH resulted in the reconstruction of the selvedge to an x-layer stack of well-ordered Cu(100) terraces, Cu(pc)-x[Cu(100)]. Subsequent Cu↔Cu_2O oxidation-reduction cycles between −0.90 V and 0.10 V SHE converted the reconstructed region to a stepped Cu(S)-[3(100) × (111)], or Cu(511), surface. Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry showed that reduction of CO produced only CH_3CH_2OH at the lowest overpotential. Later application of STM and surface infrared spectroscopy uncovered a potential, above which no CO adsorption occurs. In this study, electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance was combined with STM and DEMS as a prelude to the acquisition of CO coverages as continuous functions of concentration and potential; in heterogeneous catalysis, surface coverage are important since the reaction rate are functions of those quantities. Also equally critical is the knowledge of the packing arrangement at the onset of the reaction because, if “CO dimers” were indeed the precursors to C_(2+) products, reduction can only be initiated when the adlayer consists of closely packed CO; otherwise, dimerization will not transpire if the molecules were far apart. The results indicate that the catalysis lags the adsorption, and starts only when CO adsorption is saturated

Surface reconstruction of pure-Cu single-crystal electrodes under Co-reduction potentials in alkaline solutions: A study by seriatim ECSTM-DEMS

Quasi-operando electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM) recently showed that a polycrystalline Cu electrode kept in 0.1 M KOH at − 0.9 V (SHE), a potential very close to that for electrochemical CO reduction, underwent a two-step surface reconstruction, initially to Cu(111), or Cu(pc)-[Cu(111)], and terminally to Cu(100), or Cu(pc)-[Cu(100)]. When subjected to monolayer-limited Cu_((s)) ↔ Cu_2O_((s)) oxidation-reduction cycles (ORC), the Cu(pc)-[Cu(100)] surface was further transformed to Cu(pc)-[Cu(511)] that produced C_2H_5OH exclusively, as detected by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, at an overvoltage lower by 645 mV relative to that for the formation of hydrocarbons. In this paper, results are presented from studies with the native monocrystalline surfaces Cu(111), Cu(100) and Cu(110). Whereas the intermediate Cu(pc)-[Cu(111)] layer was eventually converted to Cu(pc)-[Cu(100)], the surface of a pristine Cu(111) single crystal itself showed no such conversion. The surface of an original Cu(100) electrode likewise proved impervious to potential perturbations. In contrast, the outer plane of a Cu(110) crystal underwent three transformations: first to disordered Cu(110)-d[Cu(110)], then to disordered Cu(110)-d[Cu(111)], and finally to an ordered Cu(110)-[Cu(100)] plane. After multiple ORC, the converted [Cu(100)] lattice atop the Cu(110) crystal did not generate ethanol, in contrast to the [Cu(100)] phase above the Cu(pc) bulk. Quasi-operando ECSTM captured the disparity: Post-ORC, Cu(110)-[Cu(100)] was converted, not to Cu(110)-[Cu(511)], but to an ordered but catalytically inactive Cu(110)-[Cu(111)]; hence, no C2H5OH production upon reduction of CO, as would have been the case for a stepped Cu(511) surface

Reactivity of Ozone with Solid Potassium Iodide Investigated by Atomic Force Microscopy

The reaction of ozone with the (100) plane of solid potassium iodide (KI) was investigated using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The reaction forming potassium iodate (KIO{sub 3}) initiates at step edges prior to reacting on the flat terraces. Small domains of KIO{sub 3}, initially 3.8 {angstrom} in height are formed on the top of step edges. Following reaction at the step edge, domains of KIO{sub 3} are formed across the terraces. With prolonged exposure to ozone, KIO{sub 3} domains nucleate further growth until the surface is evenly covered with KIO{sub 3} particles that are 4-6 nm in height, at which point the surface is passivated and the reaction terminates

CoP as an Acid-Stable Active Electrocatalyst for the Hydrogen-Evolution Reaction: Electrochemical Synthesis, Interfacial Characterization and Performance Evaluation

Films of CoP have been electrochemically synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for performance as a catalyst for the hydrogen-evolution reaction (HER). The film was synthesized by cathodic deposition from a boric acid solution of Co^(2+) and H_2PO_2^– on copper substrates followed by operando remediation of exogenous contaminants. The films were characterized structurally and compositionally by scanning-electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Raman spectrophotometry. The catalytic activity was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. Surface characterization prior to electrocatalysis indicated that the film consisted of micrometer-sized spherical clusters located randomly and loosely on a slightly roughened surface. The composition of both the clusters and surface consisted of cobalt in the metallic, phosphide, and amorphous-oxide forms (CoO·Co_2O_3) and of phosphorus as phosphide and orthophosphate. The orthophosphate species, produced by air-oxidation, were eliminated upon HER electrocatalysis in sulfuric acid. The operando film purification yielded a functional electrocatalyst with a Co:P stoichiometric ratio of 1:1. After the HER, the surface was densely packed with micrometer-sized, mesa-like particles whose tops were flat and smooth. The CoP eletrodeposit exhibited an 85 mV overvoltage (η) for the HER at a current density of 10 mA cm^(–2) and was stable under operation in highly acidic solution, with an increase in η of 18 mV after 24 h of continuous operation. The comparative HER catalytic performance of CoP, film or nanoparticles, is as follows: η_(Pt) < η_(CoP film) = η_(CoP NP), η_(Ni_2P) < η_(CoSe)_2 < η_(MoS)_2 < η_(MoSe)_2

Ion Partitioning at the liquid/vapor interface of a multi-component alkali halidesolution: A model for aqueous sea salt aerosols

The chemistry of Br species associated with sea salt ice and aerosols has been implicated in the episodes of ozone depletion reported at Arctic sunrise. However, Br{sup -} is only a minor component in sea salt, which has a Br{sup -}/Cl{sup -} molar ratio of {approx}0.0015. Sea salt is a complex mixture of many different species, with NaCl as the primary component. In recent years experimental and theoretical studies have reported enhancement of the large, more polarizable halide ion at the liquid/vapor interface of corresponding aqueous alkali halide solutions. The proposed enhancement is likely to influence the availability of sea salt Br{sup -} for heterogeneous reactions such as those involved in the ozone depletion episodes. We report here ambient pressure x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies and molecular dynamics simulations showing direct evidence of Br{sup -} enhancement at the interface of an aqueous NaCl solution doped with bromide. The experiments were carried out on samples with Br{sup -}/Cl{sup -} ratios in the range 0.1% to 10%, the latter being also the ratio for which simulations were carried out. This is the first direct measurement of interfacial enhancement of Br{sup -} in a multi-component solution with particular relevance to sea salt chemistry

Potential-Dependent Adsorption of CO and Its Low-Overpotential Reduction to CH_3CH_2OH on Cu(511) Surface Reconstructed from Cu(pc): Operando Studies by Seriatim STM-EQCN-DEMS

Operando scanning tunneling microscopy first revealed that application of a CO_2-reduction potential to a Cu(pc) electrode in 0.1 M KOH resulted in the reconstruction of the selvedge to an x-layer stack of well-ordered Cu(100) terraces, Cu(pc)-x[Cu(100)]. Subsequent Cu↔Cu_2O oxidation-reduction cycles between −0.90 V and 0.10 V SHE converted the reconstructed region to a stepped Cu(S)-[3(100) × (111)], or Cu(511), surface. Differential electrochemical mass spectrometry showed that reduction of CO produced only CH_3CH_2OH at the lowest overpotential. Later application of STM and surface infrared spectroscopy uncovered a potential, above which no CO adsorption occurs. In this study, electrochemical quartz crystal nanobalance was combined with STM and DEMS as a prelude to the acquisition of CO coverages as continuous functions of concentration and potential; in heterogeneous catalysis, surface coverage are important since the reaction rate are functions of those quantities. Also equally critical is the knowledge of the packing arrangement at the onset of the reaction because, if “CO dimers” were indeed the precursors to C_(2+) products, reduction can only be initiated when the adlayer consists of closely packed CO; otherwise, dimerization will not transpire if the molecules were far apart. The results indicate that the catalysis lags the adsorption, and starts only when CO adsorption is saturated

Surface reconstruction of pure-Cu single-crystal electrodes under Co-reduction potentials in alkaline solutions: A study by seriatim ECSTM-DEMS

Quasi-operando electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM) recently showed that a polycrystalline Cu electrode kept in 0.1 M KOH at − 0.9 V (SHE), a potential very close to that for electrochemical CO reduction, underwent a two-step surface reconstruction, initially to Cu(111), or Cu(pc)-[Cu(111)], and terminally to Cu(100), or Cu(pc)-[Cu(100)]. When subjected to monolayer-limited Cu_((s)) ↔ Cu_2O_((s)) oxidation-reduction cycles (ORC), the Cu(pc)-[Cu(100)] surface was further transformed to Cu(pc)-[Cu(511)] that produced C_2H_5OH exclusively, as detected by differential electrochemical mass spectrometry, at an overvoltage lower by 645 mV relative to that for the formation of hydrocarbons. In this paper, results are presented from studies with the native monocrystalline surfaces Cu(111), Cu(100) and Cu(110). Whereas the intermediate Cu(pc)-[Cu(111)] layer was eventually converted to Cu(pc)-[Cu(100)], the surface of a pristine Cu(111) single crystal itself showed no such conversion. The surface of an original Cu(100) electrode likewise proved impervious to potential perturbations. In contrast, the outer plane of a Cu(110) crystal underwent three transformations: first to disordered Cu(110)-d[Cu(110)], then to disordered Cu(110)-d[Cu(111)], and finally to an ordered Cu(110)-[Cu(100)] plane. After multiple ORC, the converted [Cu(100)] lattice atop the Cu(110) crystal did not generate ethanol, in contrast to the [Cu(100)] phase above the Cu(pc) bulk. Quasi-operando ECSTM captured the disparity: Post-ORC, Cu(110)-[Cu(100)] was converted, not to Cu(110)-[Cu(511)], but to an ordered but catalytically inactive Cu(110)-[Cu(111)]; hence, no C2H5OH production upon reduction of CO, as would have been the case for a stepped Cu(511) surface