X-RAY ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY: AN IN OPERANDO PROBE OF ELECTRODE REACTIONS IN FUEL CELLS AND BATTERIES

摘要

The reactions occurring at the electrodes (anode and cathode) of fuel cells and batteries can be probed by in operando X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (XAS). Both the more traditional extended fine structure (EXAFS) analysis and more novel near edge structure difference (△μXANES) analysis techniques can be used. The EXAFS provides particle size and morphology information on the electrode supported nanoparticle catalysts, and △μ XANES can provide catalysts adsorbate identity and relative coverage with a wide range of variables: potential, current, time, and/or spatial coordinate relative to fuel and/or oxygen inlet.