Peng Chen, the Peter J.W. Debye Professor of Chemistry at the College of Arts and Sciences, is the principal investigator on a multi-institutional, groundbreaking research project. This project has opened up a new chemical imaging approach to mapping transient intermediates in hydrogen electrocatalysis. This revolutionary technique gives researchers the unique opportunity to see chemical reactions in an unprecedented way. Now, they can study the complex reaction mechanisms of these electrocatalytic transformations on a single-molecule level.
Chen is the corresponding author of the study described in a paper published online in April in Nature Catalysis. It uncovers an amazing new imaging approach that allows scientists to locate molecule positions with nanometer spatial precision. This amount of detail goes a long way towards providing more insight into the role of hydrogen intermediates and their activity during electrocatalytic reactions.
Insights from the Research
The specific research aims to use single-molecule reaction imaging mainly to probe the kinetic pathways of electrocatalytic reactions with palladium (Pd) catalysts and hydrogen-like intermediates (H*). Chen’s lab further succeeded in measuring distances range with a particular, specially-probing molecule. They mapped the locations of transient, intermediate states that can occasionally be detected hundreds of nanometers from their birthplace.
This unique capability brings unprecedented levels of insight to researchers trying to visualize how hydrogen atoms behave once they are formed on the palladium catalyst. Chen emphasized that these act very differently and constantly move around.
“That fluorescence allows us to image it at the individual molecule level, so we can see every single probe reaction product. And not only can we see at a single molecule level, we can also pinpoint its position with a nanometer spatial precision.”
Tracking these movements is imperative for progressing the field of electrocatalytics science. Specifically, it elucidates the mechanism with which hydrogen transits not just onto palladium particles, but to surrounding electro catalytic surfaces.
“Another important thing we see is that once this hydrogen intermediate is formed on the palladium catalyst, now it turns out the hydrogen atom on the palladium surface is not what you call a static object,” – Peng Chen.
Chen’s research demonstrates an incredible ability by the team to tell particles apart, a pretty cool particle-pulling skill. They’re able to predict differences across sites on the same particle. This new capability represents a step towards a more holistic understanding of the competing forces at work in electrocatalytic processes.
Differentiating Between Particles
Wenjie Li, a former postdoctoral researcher in the lab and lead author on the paper, played a key role in this breakthrough. Chen and Li’s team have already made tremendous strides in our understanding of electrocatalysis. Their collaborative vision unlocks transformative, equitable uses for its potential.
“In our measurement, we can differentiate particles. We also have a way to estimate the differences between sites on the same particle,” – Peng Chen.
Electrocatalytic transformations are thus central in utilizing electrical energy to power catalyzed chemical reactions. As a result, these processes typically need robust intermediates that can carry out the target transformations in an effective way. It makes it critical to understand how hydrogen intermediates operate, how to control them, their interactions with catalysts – in order to optimize these transformations.
Importance of Electrocatalytic Transformations
This new research reveals the power of using sophisticated imaging methods to peer inside and better understand molecular activity at play during electrocatalysis. Having a better fundamental understanding will allow scientists to design better and more efficient catalysts and processes, which could lead to transformational advances in energy conversion technologies.
The research highlights the importance of employing advanced imaging techniques to gain insights into molecular behavior during electrocatalysis. With improved understanding, scientists can develop more efficient catalysts and processes, potentially leading to breakthroughs in energy conversion technologies.