Imaging the Footprint of Nanoscale Electrochemical Reactions for Assessing Synergistic Hydrogen Evolution |
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Authors: | Louis Godeffroy Dr. Paolo Ciocci Dr. Nathaly Ortiz Peña Dr. Damien Alloyeau Dr. Jean-Marc Noël Dr. Jean-François Lemineur Dr. Frédéric Kanoufi |
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Affiliation: | 1. Université Paris Cité, CNRS, ITODYS, 75013 Paris, France;2. Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Laboratoire Matériaux et Phénomènes Quantiques, 75013 Paris, France |
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Abstract: | This work proposes a novel method for measuring the intrinsic activity of single metal-based nanoparticles towards water reduction in neutral media at industrially relevant current densities. Instead of using gas nanobubbles as proxy, the method uses optical microscopy to track the local footprint of the reaction through the precipitation of metal hydroxide, which is associated to the local pH increase during electrocatalysis. The results show the electrocatalytic activities of different types of metal nanoparticles and bifunctionnal core-shell nanostructures made of Ni and Pt, and demonstrate the importance of metal hydroxide nano-shells in enhancing electrocatalysis. This method should be generalizable to any electrocatalytic reaction involving pH changes such as nitrate or CO2 reduction. |
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Keywords: | Hydrogen Evolution Reaction Metal Hydroxides Operando Optical Microscopy Single Entity Electrochemistry Synergistic Effects |
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