State of the Art in Surface Science Tailored for Electrocatalysis Investigations

CURRENT STATE OF THE ART IN SURFACE SCIENCE TAILORED FOR ELECTROCATALYSIS INVESTIGATIONS 

The development of modem surface science techniques over the past decade has allowed for the investigation of numerous properties of adsorption at the atomic level. These techniques offer information about the electrode surface and the molecular identity of the species adsorbed at the electrode surface. These techniques have been used to study the electrode surface however, many require a gas phase or ex situ environment as summarized in Table 1. XAS including the two complimentary parts, x-ray absorption near edge stracture (XANES) and extended x-ray absorption fine stmc-ture (EXAFS) are in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques that can provide unique site-specific adsorbate bonding and particle size information. Further, these techniques do not suffer from the adsorption by the bulk electrolyte such as in the IR region. X-ray Diffraction (XRD) of course also provides detailed stractural 

Comparison of Various Experimental Teehniques Utilized to Study Catalysts 

Technique hifomiation obtained In situ Disadvantages/advantages 

XRD Crystal slructiu Yes Long range order required Complex theoretical analysis 

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