Scientists at the University of Liverpool have developed a new laser technique that can convert waste products, such as carbon dioxide, into a clean energy. Working with Beijing Computational Science Research Center in China, the researchers have demonstrated a laser-based spectroscopy technique that can be used to study the electrochemical reduction of CO2 in-situ.
Gaia Neri, who was part of the Liverpool team, said: "A huge challenge in studying electrocatalysts in situ is having to discriminate between the single layer of short-lived intermediate molecules at the electrode surface and the surrounding 'noise' from inactive molecules in the solution,"
"We've shown that VSFG makes it possible to follow the behaviour of even very short-lived species in the catalytic cycle.
"This is exciting as it provides researchers with new opportunities to better understand how electrocatalysts operate, which is an important next step towards commercialising the process of electrochemical CO2 conversation into clean fuel technologies,"