Nanopatterning Single-Crystalline Metal Electrodes via Ion Erosion: New Structural Motifs for Model Electrocatalysis.

Model studies in electrocatalysis provide valuable insights into complex structure-property relationships and rely heavily on experimental techniques that enable the preparation of electrode surfaces with atomic-scale control over morphology. This work investigates the nanopatterning of single-crystalline metal electrodes through ion erosion. On Pt(111), ion erosion produces surfaces with distinct corrugation, characterized by the formation of erosion pits, an equal proportion of (110) and (100) steps, and a high density of kinks.

Stability of multifunctional Pd-Rh electrocatalysts supported on CoO(111) in alkaline environment: impact of the electronic metal-support interaction.

The stabilities of monometallic Rh and Pd nanoparticles and bimetallic Pd-Rh core-shell nanoparticles supported on CoO(111) thin films grown on Ir(100) were investigated with respect to the oxidation state and dissolution in alkaline electrolyte under the conditions relevant for electrochemical ethanol oxidation. Towards this aim, the well-defined model systems were characterized by means of synchrotron radiation photoelectron spectroscopy coupled with an emersion electrochemical cell (EC-SRPES) and scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). We found that the electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) has a strong influence on the oxidation state of Rh, resulting in a strong oxidation and anchoring of the oxidized Rh species on the surface of CoO(111).

A model study of ceria-Pt electrocatalysts: stability, redox properties and hydrogen intercalation.

The electrocatalytic properties of advanced metal-oxide catalysts are often related to a synergistic interplay between multiple active catalyst phases. The structure and chemical nature of these active phases are typically established under reaction conditions, upon interaction of the catalyst with the electrolyte. Here, we present a fundamental surface science (scanning tunneling microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and low-energy electron diffraction) and electrochemical (cyclic voltammetry) study of CeO(111) nanoislands on Pt(111) in blank alkaline electrolyte (0.

Highly Efficient Electrochemical Hydrogen Evolution with Ultra-Low Loading of Strongly Adhered Pt Nanoparticles on Carbon.

The development of robust electrocatalysts with low platinum content for acidic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is paramount for large scale commercialization of proton exchange membrane electrolyzers. Herein, a simple strategy is reported to synthesize a well anchored, low Pt containing Vulcan carbon catalyst using ZnO as a sacrificial template. Pt containing ZnO (PZ) is prepared by a simultaneous borohydride reduction.