Origin and effect of surface oxygen-containing species on electrochemical CO or CO2 reduction reactions
Science China Press
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Credit: ©Science China Press
This mini-review is led by Prof. Bingjun Xu (College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering, Peking University). Renewable-energy-powered electrochemical CO or CO2 reduction reactions (CO(2)RR) is one of the most promising strategies to upgrade CO2 to valuable products. A key question and bone of contention is whether any surface or subsurface oxygen remains on the electrocatalysts under the reducing CO(2)RR conditions, and if so, whether they play any role in facilitating the reaction. Thermodynamically, the oxides are expected to be reduced to the metallic form under the CO(2)RR conditions according to the Pourbaix diagram. However, multiple experimental studies reported the evidences for oxygen-containing species on electrocatalysts at CO(2)RR conditions, which could be attributed either to the difference in reaction and characterization conditions, or to the distinct thermodynamic stabilities of surface and bulk oxides.
This mini-review summarizes recent literature on this topic and discusses the possible sources of oxygen-containing species at or near the electrode-electrolyte interfaces under CO(2)RR conditions. Potential (sub)surface oxygen-containing species are grouped into three main categories based on the conditions at which they are introduced: (1) via the exposure to ambient air; (2) via the pretreatment of the catalyst; and (3) with the assistance of additional oxygen sources via in-situ redox reactions. Potential impact of oxygen-containing species on the activity and product distribution in the CO(2)RR, and the perspectives on future efforts to reveal the identity and role of oxygen-containing species in the CO(2)RR are also discussed.
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Origin and effect of surface oxygen-containing species on electrochemical CO or CO2 reduction reactions
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