Synthesis of thin film AuPd alloys and their investigation for electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction

We synthesize and investigate AuPd alloys for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . Thin films of AuPd were synthesized using an electron-beam co-deposition method, which yields uniform, phase-pure metal alloys with composition control. Scanning electron microscope images show that the thin films...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of materials chemistry. A, Materials for energy and sustainability Materials for energy and sustainability, 2015, Vol.3 (40), p.20185-20194
Main Authors: Hahn, Christopher, Abram, David N., Hansen, Heine A., Hatsukade, Toru, Jackson, Ariel, Johnson, Natalie C., Hellstern, Thomas R., Kuhl, Kendra P., Cave, Etosha R., Feaster, Jeremy T., Jaramillo, Thomas F.
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We synthesize and investigate AuPd alloys for the electrocatalytic reduction of CO 2 . Thin films of AuPd were synthesized using an electron-beam co-deposition method, which yields uniform, phase-pure metal alloys with composition control. Scanning electron microscope images show that the thin films are relatively uniform and flat in morphology. X-ray diffraction showed alloying and phase homogeneity within the AuPd thin films. Elemental mapping of Au and Pd with scanning transmission electron microscopy shows that AuPd thin films are uniform in composition on the nanometer scale. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterization indicates that AuPd alloys are slightly Au-rich on the surface and follow a similar trend to the bulk composition as determined by Vegard's Law. CO 2 reduction activity and selectivity were investigated across the AuPd system. All AuPd alloys were found to be more active and selective for formate production than either of the pure metals, indicating that Au and Pd can act synergistically to yield new electrocatalytic properties.
ISSN:2050-7488
2050-7496
DOI:10.1039/C5TA04863J