Synchronized SERS-SEIRAS Platform

Real-time interfacial water mapping

The platform enables simultaneous, in-situ tracking of interfacial water and adsorbed intermediates during cation-dependent ORR, revealing how alkali cations reshape the interfacial hydrogen-bond network to control reaction kinetics.

Huang, Xuan · Yao-Hui, Wang · 80252914 · Hu, Ling Yun · Wang, Jia · Jia-Sheng, Lin · Zhang, Xiaguang · Li, Jianfeng

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition 2026

Advantages

Correlate water and intermediates in real time

A synchronized, site-consistent SERS-SEIRAS platform tracks interfacial water and surface-adsorbed species (OOHad and OHad) in real time, dynamically revealing their interaction.

Reveal cation regulation mechanism

Decreasing cation hydration energy induces an interfacial water layer with weak hydrogen bonding and high dynamic flexibility, weakening OHad solvation, reducing its coverage, and accelerating the final PCET step.

Guide performance improvement

Offers a strategy for improving catalyst performance via electrolyte and interface engineering by optimizing the interfacial hydrogen-bond network.

Applications

• Electrocatalytic interface studies：In situ tracking of interfacial water and adsorbed intermediates
• Oxygen reduction mechanism：Elucidate cation-regulated PCET steps in ORR
• Alkaline fuel cells：Offer electrolyte and interface engineering strategies
• Interfacial spectroscopy：Demonstrate multi-spectral approach for dynamic interfaces