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Development of a versatile electrochemical cell for in situ grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction during non-aqueous electrochemical nitrogen reduction.

Authors :
Blair SJ
Nielander AC
Stone KH
Kreider ME
Niemann VA
Benedek P
McShane EJ
Gallo A
Jaramillo TF
Source :
Journal of synchrotron radiation [J Synchrotron Radiat] 2023 Sep 01; Vol. 30 (Pt 5), pp. 917-922. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Aug 18.
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

In situ techniques are essential to understanding the behavior of electrocatalysts under operating conditions. When employed, in situ synchrotron grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction (GI-XRD) can provide time-resolved structural information of materials formed at the electrode surface. In situ cells, however, often require epoxy resins to secure electrodes, do not enable electrolyte flow, or exhibit limited chemical compatibility, hindering the study of non-aqueous electrochemical systems. Here, a versatile electrochemical cell for air-free in situ synchrotron GI-XRD during non-aqueous Li-mediated electrochemical N <subscript>2</subscript> reduction (Li-N <subscript>2</subscript> R) has been designed. This cell not only fulfills the stringent material requirements necessary to study this system but is also readily extendable to other electrochemical systems. Under conditions relevant to non-aqueous Li-N <subscript>2</subscript> R, the formation of Li metal, LiOH and Li <subscript>2</subscript> O as well as a peak consistent with the α-phase of Li <subscript>3</subscript> N was observed, thus demonstrating the functionality of this cell toward developing a mechanistic understanding of complicated electrochemical systems.<br /> (open access.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
1600-5775
Volume :
30
Issue :
Pt 5
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of synchrotron radiation
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
37594864
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1107/S1600577523006331