In situ FTIR probe via CO electrooxidation: Pt-skin vs. Pt-skeleton surfaces

Abstract

Alloys of Pt with Ni and Co form ordered and catalytically active ‘Pt-skin’ surfaces with uniquely tuned electronic character when subject to thermal annealing. Facile identification of proper catalyst adsorption properties is necessary for the development of commercially viable catalysts with desirable activity and stability by enabling control of surface electronic character in practical materials. Evaluation of this surface character has previously been confined to electrochemical analysis. Here we extend beyond standard electrochemical techniques and leverage in situ FTIR of CO electrooxidation as a probe to identify Pt-skin surfaces and shed further light on catalytic properties, which can be used in further materials-by-design approaches to Pt group metal alloy catalyst development.