#OPCAT - Operando Characterization of Electrocatalytic Interfaces

Electrochemical processes play a pivotal role in renewable energy conversion and storage and provide an avenue to produce fuels and chemical feedstocks sustainably.

The search for new catalysts with improved efficiency, stability and selectivity for these processes relies on gaining fundamental understanding of reaction mechanisms at polarized interfaces.

Consequently, operando or in situ characterization of complex interfaces with increased spatiotemporal resolution is key to advancing knowledge-guided catalyst design. This symposium invites contributions on the latest developments in operando investigation of electrocatalytic reactions, including but not limited to water electrolysis, fuel cells, carbon dioxide reduction, nitrogen reduction and alcohol oxidation.

Electrocatalytic reactions near room temperature in aqueous, non-aqueous and ionic liquids are of interest on materials ranging from single crystals to gas diffusion electrodes. The sessions will include research performed using and/or developing optical, X-ray, and vibrational spectroscopy, surface diffraction, mass spectrometry and microscopy techniques, as well as latest advances in theoretical and modeling approaches to interpret experimental data and consequently understand complex mechanisms at electrochemical interfaces.

• In situ and operando spectroscopy (optical, vibrational, X-ray) and diffraction of reactive interfaces
• In situ and operando microscopy and surface imaging
• On-line mass spectrometry of gases and liquid products
• Theory guided interpretation of operando data
• Instrumental advances and developments of new methods for operando characterization