Emerging dynamic structure of electrocatalysts unveiled by in situ X-ray diffraction/absorption spectroscopy

Highly-efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2RR) represent the two biggest scientific challenges in artificial photosynthesis. Many efficient and cost-affordable electrocatalysts have been reported in the development of electrochemical OER and CO2RR; however, during the electro-derived oxidation or reduction processes, a critical fact that, most catalysts tend to undergo structural reconstruction and/or surface rearrangement, has been widely observed, which greatly subverts the traditional conception of catalysts. In this respect, the research trends have gradually transferred from optimizing catalyst materials to elucidating the real active sites of the catalysts as well as understanding the underlying mechanisms behind these complex reactions. Most importantly, the in situ/operando characterization techniques are powerful tools to achieve this goal. Herein, recent advances in the in situ X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy that have provided a unique opportunity to investigate the structural reconstruction and/or surface rearrangement of catalysts under realistic OER and CO2RR conditions are thoroughly reviewed. Finally, the challenges of the material design are discussed, and the future perspective for developing next-generation catalysts with imperative requirements of material nature is provided.

Automated summary

Recent research on electrochemical OER and CO2RR has shifted from optimizing catalyst materials to elucidating the true active sites of catalysts and understanding the mechanisms behind complex reactions; in situ/operando characterization techniques have played a crucial role in achieving this goal.