In-Situ XRD during Electrochemical CO Reduction on Cu

Almost all-successful CO₂ and CO reduction catalysts to higher chain carbons are based on copper^1, however various facets and pre-treatments of copper have shown to give a wide variety of product selectivity.^2,3 Currently there are many unanswered questions regarding active sites and mechanisms thus fundamental studies are essential for this reaction. This talk will focus on in-situ monitoring the copper-copper oxide crystal structure at a variety of oxidative and reductive potentials. Using the synchrotron facilities at the SLAC national laboratory we were able to achieve an in-depth understand both of how deep the native oxide layer penetrates and how this oxide becomes reduced as we shift towards more cathodic potentials. This talk was also discuss under what conditions there is an amorphous copper oxide layer and what conditions lead to a crystalline copper oxide surface. This will be followed by a discussion of how the copper oxide effects the crystal structure of the metallic copper at the operating conditions.