We introduce our state-of-the art of “vacuum consistent electrochemistry” to an investigation of the interfaces between oxides and ionic liquid (IL). Pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been one of the powerful and sophisticated techniques to realize nanoscale preparation of high-quality epitaxial oxide thin films. On the other hand, electrochemistry is a simple, very sensitive, and non-destructive analysis technique for solid-liquid interfaces. To ensure the reproducibility in experiment of the interfaces of such epitaxial oxide films, as well as bulk oxide single-crystals, with IL, we employ a home-built PLD-electrochemical (EC) system with IL as an electrolyte. The system allows one to perform all-in-vacuum experiments during the preparation of well-defined oxide electrode surfaces to their electrochemical analyses. The topics include electrochemical evaluations of the oxide’s own properties, such as carrier density and relative permittivity, and the interfacial properties of oxides in contact with IL, such as flat band potential and electric double layer (EDL) capacitance, ending with future perspectives in all-solid-state electrochemistry.

A redox-active monolayer on an optically transparent electrode constitutes a typical platform for spectroelectrochemical sensing. The necessity for its sophistication arises from the availability of multi-dimensional sensing signals. Simultaneous monitoring of the redox current and color change synchronized with the oxidation state change significantly enhances sensitivity and selectivity. This study aimed to elucidate the modification of an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode with a viologen monolayer with an ordered orientation. Novel methods were developed to immobilize a viologen molecule bearing a carboxyl group to form assembled monolayers through a condensation reaction using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide with N-hydroxy-succinimide (EDC/NHS). In the two methods of immobilization, one utilizes a two-step process to firstly form an aromatic siloxane base layer and subsequently attach the viologen derivative through an amide linkage by post-amidation. The other employs a direct ester linkage between the hydroxyl groups of the ITO surface and the carboxyl group of the viologen derivative. The latter method was also applied to immobilize a ferrocenyl group at a very short distance from the ITO surface. Potential-modulated UV-visible transmission absorption spectral measurement techniques with oblique incidence of plane-polarized light were employed to determine the orientation of the longitudinal axis of the reduced form of the viologen. The frequency dependence data of the potential-modulated transmission absorption signals were utilized to analyze the electron transfer kinetics. The performance of the two viologen-modified electrodes was compared to that of an ITO modified by post-amidation to the most commonly used base layer prepared with 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane.

This feature article illustrates the potential of polarization modulation infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (PM IRRAS) to provide molecular-level information about the structure, orientation and conformation of constituents of thin films at electrode surfaces. PM IRRAS relies on the surface selection rules stating that the p-polarized IR beam is enhanced, while the s-polarized beam is attenuated at the metal surface. The difference between p- and s-polarized beams eliminates the background of the solvent and provides IR spectra at a single electrode potential. In contrast, two other popular in situ IR spectroscopic techniques, namely, subtractively normalized interfacial Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (SNIFTIRS) and surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS), provide potential difference spectra to remove the signal from the bulk solution. In this feature article, we provide a brief tutorial on how to run the PM IRRAS experiment and describe the methods used for background elimination first. The application of the PM IRRAS in the biomimetic research is then illustrated by three examples: construction of a tethered bilayer, reconstitution of colicin into a phospholipid bilayer and determination of the orientation of nucleolipids in a monolayer assembled at a gold electrode surface. Finally, the structural changes of graphene oxide during its electrochemical reduction are described to highlight the promising application of PM IRRAS in materials science.

Electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction is a promising technology for addressing global energy and environmental crises. However, its practical application faces two critical challenges: the complex and energy-intensive process of separating mixed reduction products and the economic viability of the carbon sources (reactants) used. To tackle these challenges simultaneously, solid-state electrolyte (SSE) reactors are emerging as a promising solution. In this review, we focus on the feasibility of applying SSE for tandem electrochemical CO₂ capture and conversion. The configurations and fundamental principles of SSE reactors are first discussed, followed by an introduction to its applications in these two specific areas, along with case studies on the implementation of tandem electrolysis. In comparison to conventional H-type cell, flow cell and membrane electrode assembly cell reactors, SSE reactors incorporate gas diffusion electrodes and utilize a solid electrolyte layer positioned between an anion exchange membrane (AEM) and a cation exchange membrane (CEM). A key innovation of this design is the sandwiched SSE layer, which enhances efficient ion transport and facilitates continuous product extraction through a stream of deionized water or humidified nitrogen, effectively separating ion conduction from product collection. During electrolysis, driven by an electric field and concentration gradient, electrochemically generated ions (e.g., HCOO^- and CH₃COO^-) migrate through the AEM into the SSE layer, while protons produced from water oxidation at the anode traverse the CEM into the central chamber to maintain charge balance. Targeted products like HCOOH can form in the middle layer through ionic recombination and are efficiently carried away by the flowing medium through the porous SSE layer, in the absence of electrolyte salt impurities. As CO₂RR can generate a series of liquid products, advancements in catalyst discovery over the past several years have facilitated the industrial application of SSE for more efficient chemicals production. Also noteworthy, the cathode reduction reaction can readily consume protons from water, creating a highly alkaline local environment. SSE reactors are thereby employed to capture acidic CO₂, forming CO₃^2- from various gas sources including flue gases. Driven by the electric field, the formed CO₃^2- can traverse through the AEM and react with protons originating from the anode, thereby regenerating CO₂. This CO₂ can then be collected and utilized as a low-cost feedstock for downstream CO₂ electrolysis. Based on this principle, several cell configurations have been proposed to enhance CO₂ capture from diverse gas sources. Through the collaboration of two SSE units, tandem electrochemical CO₂ capture and conversion has been successfully implemented. Finally, we offer insights into the future development of SSE reactors for practical applications aimed at achieving carbon neutrality. We recommend that greater attention be focused on specific aspects, including the fundamental physicochemical properties of the SSE layer, the electrochemical engineering perspective related to ion and species fluxes and selectivity, and the systematic pairing of consecutive CO₂ capture and conversion units. These efforts aim to further enhance the practical application of SSE reactors within the broader electrochemistry community.