(39c) Designing Electrochemical Interfaces for Small Molecule Activation

Owing to the urgent search for sustainable synthesis of fuels and other energy-relevant molecules, the field of electrocatalysis has seen a resurgence in the last few decades. Unlike homogeneous catalysts, solid-state catalysts offer far fewer atomic parameters for tuning their performance. One underdeveloped opportunity is in the design of novel electrochemical interfaces to facilitate bond-breaking and bond-forming reactions. In this presentation, we will explore techniques for altering the electrode-electrolyte interface by using molecular additives as well as tuning the catalytic sites for activating small molecules like carbon dioxide and nitrogenous species. We will also discuss advanced electrochemical techniques such as in-situ vibrational spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to characterize these tailored electrochemical interfaces.