Abstract:
The essential goal of achieving net-zero CO2 emissions by 2050 hinges on the ability to transform renewable energy into storable fuels. Hydrogen is the critical link between renewable energy sources and consumers. Nevertheless, the challenge of achieving cost-effective, widespread hydrogen production is a complex undertaking. This necessitates a comprehensive grasp of electrocatalysis to design efficient catalysts. Current research in electrocatalysis primarily centers on understanding how catalyst surfaces undergo changes. To gain insights into how solid-liquid interfaces impact electrochemical processes, it is imperative to ascertain the surface chemistry at the junction of the electrode and electrolyte. In this presentation, I will demonstrate how soft X-ray beamlines can provide this crucial information. Our experimental findings underscore the valuable perspectives that operando X-ray characterization offers in unraveling the authentic mechanisms governing catalytic reactions. Furthermore, I will provide an additional introduction to the spintronic interpretation of catalytic phenomena in electrocatalytic reactions.