Polarization-Switchable Electrochemistry of 2D Layered Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Se Bifunctional Microreactors by Ferroelectric Modulation.
basic_science · Level V
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39186248.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1021/acs.nanolett.4c03128 and PMC identifier 11378338.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
Ferroelectric catalysts are known for altering surface catalytic activities by changing the direction of their electric polarizations. This study demonstrates polarization-switchable electrochemistry using layered bismuth oxyselenide (L-Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Se) bifunctional microreactors through ferroelectric modulation. A selective-area ionic liquid gating is developed with precise control over the spatial distribution of the dipole orientation of L-Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Se. On-chip microreactors with upward polarization favor the oxygen evolution reaction, whereas those with downward polarization prefer the hydrogen evolution reaction. The microscopic origin behind polarization-switchable electrochemistry primarily stems from enhanced surface adsorption and reduced energy barriers for reactions, as examined by nanoscale scanning electrochemical cell microscopy. Integrating a pair of L-Bi<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>Se microreactors consisting of upward or downward polarizations demonstrates overall water splitting in a full-cell configuration based on a bifunctional catalyst. The ability to modulate surface polarizations on a single catalyst via ferroelectric polarization switching offers a pathway for designing catalysts for water splitting.