Atomic Dynamics of Electrified Solid-Liquid Interfaces in Liquid Cell TEM

Scientific Achievement

a, A schematic of polymer liquid cell design. b, Experimental setup. c, The liquid-like flow and interconversion behavior of amorphous phase. d. Detachment of Cu atoms in atomic-step-dependent or random mode.

Direct monitoring the atomic dynamics of electrified solid–liquid interfaces (ESLIs) enabled the discovery of a liquid-like amorphous interphase mediating the catalytic surface restructuring during reactions

Significance and Impact

This work provided new insights into the electrocatalyst surfaces during reactions laying the foundation for controlling electrochemical reactions by tuning ESLIs

Research Details

Developed an advanced polymer electrochemical liquid cell
Direct liquid cell TEM imaging revealed an unseen fluctuating liquid-like amorphous interphase at the electrified Cu–electrolyte interfaces
The ESLIs undergo dynamic transformations, mediating the crystalline Cu surface restructuring and mass loss during CO₂ electroreduction reaction (CO₂RR)

Q. Zhang Z. Song, X. Sun, Y. Liu, J. Wan, S.B. Betzler, Q. Zheng, J. Shangguan, K.C. Bustillo, P. Ercius, P. Narang, Y. Huang, H. Zheng, Nature (2024) doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07479-w

Scientific Achievement

Significance and Impact

Research Details

Q. Zhang Z. Song, X. Sun, Y. Liu, J. Wan, S.B. Betzler, Q. Zheng, J. Shangguan, K.C. Bustillo, P. Ercius, P. Narang, Y. Huang, H. Zheng, Nature (2024) doi:10.1038/s41586-024-07479-w

Footer