Engineering and direct imaging of nanocube self-assembly pathways
December 17, 2024
Tuesday publication post! In this newest publications from Yao Yang at the #UniversityofCalifornia, copper nanowires were visualized using 4D-STEM and in situ liquid phase microscopy with the #PoseidonAX system! It is such a great accomplishment to be able to use high-end analysis techniques such as 4D-STEM in liquid while using operando conditions. Congratulations to the authors and this great publication!
⚡Copper nanowires (Cu NWs) hold great potential for catalyzing the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) into valuable fuels, but their structural evolution under reaction conditions remains poorly understood. Using Poseidon AX from Protochips, the authors performed operando electrochemical liquid-cell STEM to capture real-time changes in Cu NWs during CO2RR.
This study revealed that the initial Cu@Cu2O nanowires, consisting of a 5-fold twinned metallic Cu core and a Cu2O shell, undergo surface electroreduction, transforming into disordered metallic Cu (Cu@CuS NWs). Further CO-driven Cu migration led to a complete transition into polycrystalline Cu nanograins, which serve as the active sites for CO2RR.
With the help of machine learning-assisted 4D-STEM and correlative X-ray absorption spectroscopy, this paper imaged the Cu grain boundaries and capture their reoxidation during post-electrolysis air exposure. This breakthrough enables a deeper understanding of the dynamic behavior of Cu NWs and supports the design of more efficient CO2RR catalysts.
Want to read the entire paper?
Find it here:
https://www.doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c06480
Want to know more about how to use in situ (S)TEM with our systems?
https://www.protochips.com/solutions/by-applications/electrocatalysis/
The video shows the rapid change in copper nanowires under electrochemical stimuli.
#Protochips #FindYourBreakthrough #InSituMicroscopy #LiquidPhaseTEM #InSituLiquidPhase
