Lecture
Van Marum Colloquium: Exploring the Interfacial Properties and Electrocatalytic Activity of Platinum-Palladium Single Crystal Alloys
- Date
- Thursday 20 February 2025
- Time
- Location
-
Gorlaeus Building
Einsteinweg 55
2333 CC Leiden - Room
- CM.3.23
Abstract
Optimizing platinum’s surface structure and composition is crucial for enhancing catalytic performance and understanding electrocatalysis on bimetallic surfaces. Equally important is understanding interfacial interactions between charged electrodes and electrolyte species, which can significantly impact electrochemical reaction rates.
In this talk, I will present our recent work on the preparation of Pt-Pd single crystals using a modified Clavilier method, along with detailed surface characterization by XPS and LEED, which confirmed well-defined compositions and structures. I will discuss how cyclic voltammetry in various electrolytes revealed correlations between surface properties and voltammetric responses, shedding light on electrode-electrolyte interactions. Furthermore, I will share findings from CO displacement and laser-induced temperature jump (LITJ) experiments, highlighting the role of anion adsorption and its impact on the potential of zero charge and maximum entropy. Finally, I will showcase the electrocatalytic performance of these Pt-Pd surfaces for key reactions, including formic acid oxidation and oxygen reduction. These results not only uncover intriguing interfacial properties but also provide valuable insights for designing advanced bimetallic catalysts. I look forward to discussing how this work contributes to a deeper understanding of structure-activity relationships in electrocatalysis.