Spectroscopy, Structure, and Reactivity on Electrode Surfaces

伊利诺伊大学厄巴纳-香槟分校的Andrew A.Gewirth教授和他的学生得到化学系化学测量与成像(CMI)计划的支持，以开发新的工具来检查与不同类型的电极过程相关的反应性。这项工作的特点是使用先进的拉曼和电化学表面应力测量来询问电极组成和在电催化事件中的反应活性。拟研究的过程包括硝酸盐在裸电极和双金属电极表面的催化还原，二氧化碳在修饰表面的还原，特别是含银的修饰表面，以及析氧反应。该小组还计划研究使用非化学计量比氧化物的碳氢化合物氧化催化作用。电催化剂是促进电化学反应的物质，以便它们在较温和的条件下更快、更有效地发生。电化学反应是通过电子转移进行的反应，如燃料燃烧和金属电镀。许多重要的自然和技术过程，如腐蚀、沉积、修复和储能，都涉及电化学反应，因此可以通过电催化剂技术的进步来改进。该项目将进行的研究将通过开发工具来推动电催化剂技术的发展，这些工具可以揭示电催化剂如何影响参与电化学反应的化学物质的结构和行为。该项目将侧重于了解影响紧迫社会需求的反应的电催化作用，例如减少硝酸盐和二氧化碳，这两个分别是普遍存在的农业和工业活动产品，以及碳氢化合物燃料和水的氧化。这项工作也是跨学科研究培训的载体。来自不同背景的学生，包括那些在科学领域代表性不足的学生，将得到指导，并将在当地学校进行亲身实践的科学和化学演示。

Professor Andrew A. Gewirth and his students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are supported by the Chemical Measurements & Imaging (CMI) Program in the Division of Chemistry to develop new tools to examine the reactivity associated with different types of electrode processes. Featured in this work is the use of advanced Raman and electrochemical surface stress measurements to interrogate electrode composition and reactivity during electrocatalytic events. The processes slated for investigation include the catalysis of nitrate reduction on bare and bimetallic electrode surfaces, carbon dioxide reduction on modified surfaces, especially those involving Ag, and the oxygen evolution reaction. The group also plans to investigate hydrocarbon oxidation catalysis using non-stoichiometric oxides. Electrocatalysts are substances that promote electrochemical reactions so that they occur more quickly, efficiently or under milder conditions. Electrochemical reactions are those that proceed with electron transfer, such as the burning of fuel and the plating of metals. Many important natural and technological processes such as corrosion, deposition, remediation and energy storage involve electrochemical reactions and therefore can be improved by advances in electrocatalyst technology. The studies that will be conducted in this project will advance electrocatalyst technology by developing tools that can reveal how electrocatalysts influence the structure and behavior of chemicals involved in electrochemical reactions. The project will include focus on understanding the electrocatalysis of reactions that impact pressing societal needs, such as the reduction of nitrate and carbon dioxide, ubiquitous products of agricultural and industrial activity, respectively and the oxidation of hydrocarbon fuels and water. This work also serves as a vehicle for interdisciplinary research training. Students from many backgrounds, including those underrepresented in science, will be mentored, and hands-on science and chemical demonstrations will be performed in local schools.