A comparative study of electrochemical cells for in situ x-ray spectroscopies in the soft and tender x-ray range

In situ x-ray spectroscopies offer a powerful way to understand the electronic structure of the electrode-electrolyte interface under operating conditions. However, most x-ray techniques require vacuum, making it necessary to design spectro-electrochemical cells with a delicate interface to the wet electrochemical environment. The design of the cell often dictates what measurements can be done and which electrochemical processes can be studied. Hence, it is important to pick the right spectro-electrochemical cell for the process of interest. To facilitate this choice, and to highlight the challenges in cell design, we critically review four recent, successful cell designs. Using several case studies, we investigate the opportunities and limitations that arise in practical experiments.

Automated summary

In situ x-ray spectroscopies are a powerful tool for studying the electronic structure of the electrode-electrolyte interface, but the design of spectro-electrochemical cells plays a crucial role in determining the measurements and processes that can be studied. It is important to choose the right cell design for the specific process of interest, and understanding the opportunities and limitations of different cell designs through case studies is essential for practical experiments.