Spectroscopic Techniques for Renewable Energy

Abstract

Published as part of The Journal of Physical Chemistry C special issue “Spectroscopic Techniques for Renewable Energy”. Nowadays, in the face of escalating global energy demands and pressing environmental concerns, the necessity for developing sustainable energy solutions has become extremely urgent. Renewable energy sources, including hydrogen, carbon conversion, rechargeable batteries, and photovoltaics, have emerged as crucial components in achieving efficient energy conversion and storage. (1−5) However, the realization of this vision is hindered by significant scientific and technological challenges, particularly when it comes to understanding the catalytic processes. The lack of clarity on the underlying mechanisms of catalytic reactions significantly limits the advancement of efficiency and cost-effectiveness catalysts, thus impeding future industrial applications. To address these challenges, advanced spectroscopic techniques are essential for providing deep insight into the intricate processes governing energy-related catalysis (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05853). (6) This special issue aims to highlight the critical role that sophisticated spectroscopic methods play in investigating the mechanisms of energy conversion and storage. We focus on a range of cutting-edge spectroscopic methods, including Raman spectroscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD), etc. for unraveling the complexities of catalytic processes. Among these techniques, XRD provides valuable information about the crystal structure of materials, essential for understanding the fundamental architecture of catalytic species (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05891, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05992). Raman and infrared spectroscopy shed light on molecular vibrations, offering insights into material composition and chemical interactions (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03619, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05826, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05670). Leveraging synchrotron light sources, X-ray absorption and emission spectroscopy affords unparalleled resolution in characterizing the fine electronic structure of materials (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c05526, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c00670, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03528). Many other spectroscopic techniques such as UV–vis spectroscopy (10.1021/acs.jpca.4c04902), intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c04819), mass spectroscopy (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03623), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03480, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03904, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03034) also enable the identification of electronic states and structural properties, crucial for tailoring materials with optimal catalytic properties. It is worth noting that, in the realm of practical applications, the reaction environment and conditions often differ significantly from those present during lab testing. Traditional ex-situ characterization can fall short of accurately representing the real catalytic reaction processes. Hence, the emphasis on in situ and operando spectroscopic techniques, which allow for the monitoring of catalytic reactions under working conditions, is increasing. (7,8) These methods provide critical insight into the catalyst structural evolution, intermediate adsorption, and real active species in action, thus offering a more authentic portrayal of catalytic reaction processes (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c04688, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c01369, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03471, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03361). This enhanced understanding and precision in characterizing real-time reactions significantly bolster the industrialization of renewable energy solutions. Furthermore, this special issue also highlights frontier characterization techniques and unique catalytic structures, emphasizing the innovative approaches driving the field forward (10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c06589, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c06706, 10.1021/acs.jpcc.4c03721). In this special issue, we have organized the articles into the following areas: electrocatalysis and energy storage, photocatalysis and physical properties, new methods and novel catalyst materials. It is our hope that all these contributions will inspire further advancements in understanding and improving catalytic processes for renewable energy. We thank all the authors and reviewers for their invaluable contributions that have made this compilation possible, and we look forward to the advancements for future innovations in energy catalysis. This article references 8 other publications. This article has not yet been cited by other publications.