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A simple and efficient catalyst, benzimidazole (BIMH)-modified copper foil, is developed to enhance the selective conversion of CO2 to C2/C3 products. The overall faradaic efficiency (FE) for CO2 reduction reaches 92.1% and the undesired hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is lowered to a FE of 7% at −1.07 VRHE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pH-driven adsorption and desorption of fatty acid monolayers at the liquid crystal (LC)–water interface were studied. We doped fatty acids (stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, dodecanoic acid, and decanoic acid) into 4-cyano-4′-pentylbiphenyl (5CB), and employed sessile LC droplets as our experimental platform. Under a crossed polariser, the LC droplets displayed a bright flower bud-shaped texture at low pH, whereas at high pH, they exhibited a bright four-brush appearance due to desorption of the adsorbed fatty acids at the LC–water interface. Furthermore, we identified the critical transition pH of various concentrations of stearic acid and other fatty acids featuring distinct tail lengths. Based on the interfacial behaviour, we propose a new method to estimate the pKaof fatty acids, which opens up new possibilities for simple, precise, and reliable measurement of the pKaof other carboxylic acids. The findings presented herein will greatly facilitate the understanding of the interfacial behaviour of amphiphiles at the oil–water interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: BaZr1−x Co x O3−δ (BZC-x, x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5) are prepared and identified as single phase air electrode materials for reversible solid oxide cells. BZC-x shows a typical perovskite structure with x ≤ 0.4, and slight BaCoO3 second phase is observed with x = 0.5. Conductivity measurements suggest that BZC-x is an oxygen ion and electron mixed conductor in dry oxygen atmosphere. The electronic conductivity of BZC-x increases when increasing Co content in BZC-x specimen, while the ionic conductivity reduces. For BaZr0.6Co0.4O3−δ , the electronic and ionic conductivity are 5.24 S cm−1 and 1.20 × 10−3 S cm−1, respectively, measured at 700 °C in dry oxygen. With BZC-0.4 as a single phase air electrode, the discharging and electrolysis current densities of a single cell are 299 mA cm−2 (at 0.7 V) and −935 mA cm−2 (at 1.5 V), respectively, measured at 700 °C. The polarization resistance of cells using this new air electrode is only 0.19 Ω cm2, approximately 65% lower than that using a traditional Sm0.5Sr0.5CoO3−δ /BaCe0.5Zr0.3Y0.2O3−δ composite air electrode. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Doping is a recognized method for enhancing catalytic performance. The introduction of strains is a common consequence of doping, although it is often overlooked. Differentiating the impact of doping and strain on catalytic performance poses a significant challenge. In this study, Cu-doped Bi catalysts with substantial tensile strain are synthesized. The synergistic effects of doping and strain in bismuth result in a remarkable CO 2 RR performance. Under optimized conditions, Cu 1/6 -Bi demonstrates exceptional formate Faradaic efficiency (>95%) and maintains over 90% across a wide potential window of 900 mV. Furthermore, it delivers an industrial-relevant partial current density of -317 mA cm -2 at -1.2 V RHE in a flow cell, while maintaining its selectivity. Additionally, it exhibits exceptional long-term stability, surpassing 120 h at -200 mA cm -2 . Through experimental and theoretical mechanistic investigations, it has been determined that the introduction of tensile strain facilitates the adsorption of *CO 2 , thereby enhancing the reaction kinetics. Moreover, the presence of Cu dopants and tensile strain further diminishes the energy barrier for the formation of *OCHO intermediate. This study not only offers valuable insights for the development of effective catalysts for CO 2 RR through doping, but also establishes correlations between doping, lattice strains, and catalytic properties of bismuth catalysts., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)