journal article·2026-06-29Open access

Operando X‐Ray Absorption Spectroscopy Reveals Dynamic Interfacial Metal–Metal Coordination Governing CO 2 Reduction Selectivity in PdAg Alloys

Ruspika Sundaresan, Pandiyarajan Anand, Li‐Ling Lin, Naveen Karuppusamy, Hsu‐Feng Lee, Shin‐Yu Chang, Tsu‐Hao Chang, Yu‐Cheng Shao, Ching‐Wei Tung

Abstract

ABSTRACT Achieving high selectivity towards single carbon products in electrochemical CO 2 reduction requires precise control over intermediate binding energies, a challenge that monometallic catalysts cannot address due to inherent electronic structure limitations. Bimetallic catalyst offers a strategic solution through synergetic electronic effects that decouple these correlations, enabling independent optimization of CO 2 activation and CO desorption, critical steps for selective single‐carbon production. Herein, we demonstrate a Pd x Ag 1‐x electrocatalyst system that achieved a CO selectivity of 91% at −1.1 V versus RHE with an optimized composition. Operando X‐ray absorption spectroscopy reveals that Ag as the active site, undergoes partial oxidation to Ag + under reaction conditions, donating electron density to Pd sites, while EXAFS analysis establishes composition–dependent metal–metal (M–M) bonding as the critical selectivity determinant. These findings provide a quantitative design framework for rational composition engineering of next‐generation bimetallic CO 2 reduction catalysts based on active site coordination dynamics.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts · Ammonia Synthesis and Nitrogen Reduction · Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Materials Engineering Ming Chi University of Technology New Taipei City Taiwan

Center For Environmental Sustainability and Human Health Ming Chi University of Technology New Taipei City Taiwan

Department of Chemistry National Taiwan University Taipei Taiwan

Aromatic Hydrogen Energy CO., LTD. Nantou County Taiwan

National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center Hsinchu Taiwan

Funding

National Science and Technology Council

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