The role of water and cations in shaping electrified interfaces: Insights from Raman and FTIR spectroscopy

Author(s)

Nogueira, Jessica Alves ; Germano, Lucas Dias ; De Angelis, Leonardo Domenico ; de Torresi, Susana Ines Cordoba

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY; v. 52, p. 7-pg., 2025-08-01.

Abstract

A detailed understanding of the structural dynamics of water at the electrode/electrolyte interface is essential for deciphering and improving electrocatalyst performance. This review highlights innovative uses of Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy to probe interfacial water under electrochemical conditions. Moving beyond conventional approaches, we discuss strategies that evaluate the influence of electrolyte composition and external stimuli- such as light irradiation-on the dynamics of interfacial species. These in situ techniques uncover changes in water orientation and coordination during critical reactions like CO2 reduction and oxygen evolution. In alkaline environments, cations significantly influence interfacial dynamics: their hydration shells disrupt hydrogen bonding networks, modulating water adsorption, local electric fields, proton transport, and the stabilization of reaction intermediates. The creative application of advanced spectroscopic techniques to evaluate the effects of electrolytes, applied potentials, and/or irradiation on water structure provides novel insights that are reshaping our understanding of the electrified interface. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 21/00675-4 - Tying up materials for electrochemical energy storage and catalysis
• Grantee: Roberto Manuel Torresi
• Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants
• FAPESP's process: 21/08007-0 - Study of CO2 plasmon-assisted electroreduction over Cu2O-Au nanostructures towards C2 compounds synthesis
• Grantee: Leonardo Domenico De Angelis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 23/16671-3 - Electrocatalytic activity of layered double hydroxides decorated with plasmonic nanoparticles
• Grantee: Jéssica Alves Nogueira
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• FAPESP's process: 18/22845-6 - Controlled nanostructures based on metal hidroxides and noble metals applied to electrocatalytic of oxygen evolution reaction
• Grantee: Lucas Dias Germano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 21/12793-1 - Using plasmonics excitations for enhanced electrocatalysis
• Grantee: Lucas Dias Germano
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)
• FAPESP's process: 24/09385-7 - Exploring the plasmon-enhanced CO2 reduction reaction: An advanced in situ/operando X-ray study of Au-Cu2O electrocatalysts
• Grantee: Leonardo Domenico De Angelis
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate (Direct)