The evolution of local microenvironments at copper electrodes during the electrochemical CO reduction reaction has long been overlooked. In situ electrochemical surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy now reveals that the dynamic restructuring of interfacial water resulting from increased local alkalinity enhances the acetate selectivity of this reaction.
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Geng, HF., Bao, YF., Wang, X. et al. The critical role of local microenvironments. Nat Catal 8, 753–754 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01395-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41929-025-01395-6
