Ab Initio Thermodynamic Stability of Carbide Catalysts under Electrochemical Conditions

dc.contributor.authorLi, H.
dc.contributor.authorReuter, K.
dc.date.issued2022
dc.description.abstractTransition metal carbides (TMCs) are considered as promising electrocatalysts to break adsorption energy scaling relations that limit the catalytic function of the parent transition metals. Yet, their stability under electrochemical conditions is uncertain, with at least hexagonal Mo2C in an aqueous electrolyte known to form a surface oxide layer already at very negative potentials. Here, we use ab initio thermodynamics to systematically investigate the stability of all low-index facets of a series of TMCs (TM = Ti, Zr, V, Nb, Cr, and Mo) with different metal/carbon ratios. The deduced electrochemical stability window indeed challenges an intended use of TMCs as CO2 reduction catalysts. Only MoC and CrC are found to stably exhibit facets with accessible, methanol-selective C-rich active sites.
dc.description.statementofresponsibilityHaobo Li and Karsten Reuter
dc.identifier.citationACS Catalysis, 2022; 12(16):10506-10513
dc.identifier.doi10.1021/acscatal.2c01732
dc.identifier.issn2155-5435
dc.identifier.issn2155-5435
dc.identifier.orcidLi, H. [0000-0002-9448-6771]
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/2440/136146
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherAmerican Chemical Society
dc.rights© 2022 American Chemical Society
dc.source.urihttps://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.2c01732
dc.subjectab initio thermodynamics; transition metal carbides; electrocatalysis; electrochemical conditions; Wulff construction; Pourbaix diagram
dc.titleAb Initio Thermodynamic Stability of Carbide Catalysts under Electrochemical Conditions
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.publication-statusPublished

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