Hui Wang
The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) offers a compelling route to energy storage and high-value chemical manufacturing, which reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and helps to mitigate net CO2 emissions. To improve the efficiency and selectivity of CO2RR, research has focused on the adjustment of the catalyst structure and composition, which tunes the activity and selectivity of the electrocatalysts. However, it is extremely important to understand the relationship between structural and catalytic properties due to continuous alterations of the structure, morphology, composition, and chemical state of the electrocatalysts during CO2RR. In-situ electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy (EC-AFM) is a useful technique for observing the structural and morphological evolution of electrocatalysts during CO2RR. In this project, we will use in-situ EC-AFM to reveal what happens on the surface of electrocatalysts during the CO2 reduction process, in order to couple the catalyst structure to the performance under reaction conditions.