Tuning Surface Reactivity and Electric Field Strength via Intermetallic Alloying

Ezra L. Clark, Rasmus Nielsen, Jakob Ejler Sørensen, Julius Lucas Needham, Brian Seger, Ib Chorkendorff

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many electrosynthesis reactions, such as CO2 reduction to multicarbon products, involve the formation of dipolar and polarizable transition states during the rate-determining step. Systematic and independent control over surface reactivity and electric field strength would accelerate the discovery of highly active electrocatalysts for these reactions by providing a means of reducing the transition state energy through field stabilization. Herein, we demonstrate that intermetallic alloying enables independent and systematic control over d-band energetics and work function through the variation of alloy composition and oxophilic constituent identity, respectively. We identify several intermetallic phases exhibiting properties that should collectively yield higher intrinsic activity for CO reduction compared to conventional Cu-based electrocatalysts. However, we also highlight the propensity of these alloys to segregate in air as a significant roadblock to investigating their electrocatalytic activity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4414-4420
Number of pages7
JournalACS Energy Letters
Volume8
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 13 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Chemistry (miscellaneous)
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • Fuel Technology
  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Materials Chemistry

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