In Situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Metal/Nitrogen-doped Carbons in Oxygen Electrocatalysis

Bin Wu, Tianxiao Sun*, Ya You, Haibing Meng*, Dulce M. Morales, Mailis Lounasvuori, Abbas Beheshti Askari, Li Jiang, Feng Zeng, Baoshan Hu, Xiangzhi Zhang, Renzhong Tai*, Zhichuan J. Xu, Tristan Petit, Liqiang Mai*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Metal/nitrogen-doped carbons (M−N−C) are promising candidates as oxygen electrocatalysts due to their low cost, tunable catalytic activity and selectivity, and well-dispersed morphologies. To improve the electrocatalytic performance of such systems, it is critical to gain a detailed understanding of their structure and properties through advanced characterization. In situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) serves as a powerful tool to probe both the active sites and structural evolution of catalytic materials under reaction conditions. In this review, we firstly provide an overview of the fundamental concepts of XAS and then comprehensively review the setup and application of in situ XAS, introducing electrochemical XAS cells, experimental methods, as well as primary functions on catalytic applications. The active sites and the structural evolution of M−N−C catalysts caused by the interplay with electric fields, electrolytes and reactants/intermediates during the oxygen evolution reaction and the oxygen reduction reaction are subsequently discussed in detail. Finally, major challenges and future opportunities in this exciting field are highlighted.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere202219188
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume62
Issue number27
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 3 2023
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Authors. Angewandte Chemie International Edition published by Wiley-VCH GmbH.

ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

Keywords

  • Active Sites
  • In Situ XAS
  • M−N−C Catalysts
  • Oxygen Electrocatalysis
  • Structural Evolution

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'In Situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy of Metal/Nitrogen-doped Carbons in Oxygen Electrocatalysis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this