Zhao Xiaona, Zhou Xiao-Li, Cao Cheng-Xin, Xi Xin, Liu Xian-Wei
State Key Lab of Advanced Environmental Technology, Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230026, China.
School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210094, China.
Nat Commun. 2025 Apr 12;16(1):3494. doi: 10.1038/s41467-025-58793-4.
Understanding the electrical double layer (EDL) at solid-liquid interfaces is pivotal across various fields, including energy storage, electrowetting, and electrocatalysis, yet probing its structure and heterogeneity remains a considerable challenge. Here, we report an optical method for the direct visualization and quantification of the zeta potential (ζ) across the interfaces between 2D materials and aqueous solutions. By modulating surface charge density, we map the heterogenous distribution of ζ potential across the MoS nanosheet interface, revealing how both external factors and intrinsic material properties shape interfacial charge. This approach overcomes the drawbacks of conventional methods for evaluating ζ potential in 2D materials, providing insights into elucidate the complex interplay between the ζ potential and the catalytic activity of 2D materials. Furthermore, it establishes a robust framework for exploring the EDL in various electrochemical systems. Our findings reveal a deeper understanding of complex electrochemical interface interactions, offering valuable insights into the fundamental processes governing these systems.
了解固液界面处的双电层（EDL）在包括能量存储、电润湿和电催化在内的各个领域都至关重要，但探测其结构和非均质性仍然是一项巨大的挑战。在此，我们报告了一种光学方法，用于直接可视化和量化二维材料与水溶液之间界面的zeta电位（ζ）。通过调节表面电荷密度，我们绘制了MoS纳米片界面上ζ电位的非均匀分布，揭示了外部因素和材料固有特性如何塑造界面电荷。这种方法克服了评估二维材料中ζ电位的传统方法的缺点，为阐明ζ电位与二维材料催化活性之间的复杂相互作用提供了见解。此外，它为探索各种电化学系统中的双电层建立了一个强大的框架。我们的研究结果揭示了对复杂电化学界面相互作用的更深入理解，为控制这些系统的基本过程提供了有价值的见解。
