Operando Synchrotron-FTIR Identification of Reaction Intermediates and Microenvironment Effects on Bi-Porphyrinic Catalysts During CO2 Electroreduction (2026)
Abstract
Electrochemical CO2-to-formate conversion is a promising route for carbon utilisation and renewable energy storage. Our Bi-porphyrinic nanosheet catalyst (BiTCPP) delivers ultra-high formate selectivity (>93% at -1.0 V vs RHE), yet the identities of key surface intermediates and the role of the interfacial microenvironment remain unclear. This project will use operando synchrotron-FTIR microspectroscopy at IRM beamline to directly probe adsorbed intermediates (*CO2 -, *HCOO), carbonate/bicarbonate species, and interfacial water on BiTCPP under working CO2RR conditions. By correlating potential-dependent vibrational features with electrochemical performance, we aim to elucidate the dominant reaction pathway and reveal how molecular confinement and proton regulation govern formate selectivity.
