Operando XAS study of Cu-Ga nanoparticles as catalysts for electrochemical CO2 reduction

Monitoring changes of catalysts composition and structure during operation is of the uttermost importance to build unambiguous structure/properties relations and to guide the design of more active, selective and stable catalysts. The aim of this project is to follow and to elucidate the changes in the oxidation states, structure and coordination environments of Cu-Ga electrocatalysts during the CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) by operando XAS. These materials were recently synthesized in our group, and we have discovered enhanced selectivity and stability compared to monometallic Cu and Ga catalysts. In-house methods are not able to track catalyst changes during operation, and synchrotron-based XAS studies are needed to understand synergistic nature of the performance improvement. The catalysts with enhanced selectivity and stability are strongly desired to make CO2RR technology viable, and discovery of new catalytic material is helpful to target rational design of better catalysts.