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Structure Sensitivity in the Electrocatalytic Reduction of CO 2 with Gold Catalysts
Author(s) -
Mezzavilla Stefano,
Horch Sebastian,
Stephens Ifan E. L.,
Seger Brian,
Chorkendorff Ib
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
angewandte chemie international edition
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.831
H-Index - 550
eISSN - 1521-3773
pISSN - 1433-7851
DOI - 10.1002/anie.201811422
Subject(s) - electrocatalyst , catalysis , reduction (mathematics) , active site , chemistry , electrolyte , aqueous solution , materials science , co poisoning , sensitivity (control systems) , electrochemistry , inorganic chemistry , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , electrode , organic chemistry , geometry , mathematics , electronic engineering , engineering
An understanding of the influence of structural surface features on electrocatalytic reactions is vital for the development of efficient nanostructured catalysts. Gold is the most active and selective known electrocatalyst for the reduction of CO 2 to CO in aqueous electrolytes. Numerous strategies have been proposed to improve its intrinsic activity. Nonetheless, the atomistic knowledge of the nature of the active sites remains elusive. We systematically investigated the structure sensitivity of Au single crystals for electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction. Reaction kinetics for the formation of CO are strongly dependent on the surface structure. Under‐coordinated sites, such as those present in Au(110) and at the steps of Au(211), show at least 20‐fold higher activity than more coordinated configurations (for example, Au(100)). By selectively poisoning under‐coordinated sites with Pb, we have confirmed that these are the active sites for CO 2 reduction.