On the possibilities and considerations of interfacing ultra-high vacuum equipment with an electrochemical setup

Efficient electrocatalysts are required in order for electrocatalysis to play a large role in a future largely based on renewable energy sources. To rationally design these catalysts we need to understand the fundamental origin of their activities. In order to elucidate the relationship between catalyst structure and electrochemical behaviour, we investigate well-defined single-crystal catalysts in a UHV chamber interfaced with an electrochemical setup. Using the capabilities of UHV based methods, we can prepare more complex surface structures than it is possible with traditional EC methods and investigate their electrochemical behaviour. We exemplify this by showing results from both clean and intentionally structured Pt(111), Cu(111) and Pt/Cu(111).