Using X-ray tomography to understand gas diffusion electrode interfaces under dynamic operation (Publication)

We are pleased to share our recent work, "Gas diffusion electrode stability in direct solar-driven electrochemical CO₂ reduction under simulated diurnal irradiance", published in Chem Catalysis. 

Mitigating the performance degradation under dynamic conditions is a key challenge in the field of electrochemical energy conversion. This is especially true for devices driven by solar energy, where day-night (i.e., diurnal) cycling inevitably changes operating conditions and can drive performance loss. 

This article describes our effort to understand how electrified catalyst/ionomer interfaces respond to these varying day-night conditions operating conditions under CO₂ reduction conditions.  Using a combination of in situ x-ray tomography (enabled by LBNL and the Advanced Light source) and carefully controlled electrochemical conditions, we observed dynamic changes at the catalyst/ionomer interface that explain the observed selectivity changes of the CO2-reducting electrochemical cell. These insights highlight strategies for engineering improved durability in solar fuels devices.

Read the whole article here!

A special thanks to Sol A Lee for leading this work and to Harry Atwater, Chengxiang Xiang, and Walter Drisdell for their leadership. We also want to acknowledge the critical contributions to this effort from Myeong Je Jang, Zhiyuan Qi, Lily Shiau, Laura Paradis-Fortin, Dilworth Y. Parkinson for all their effort