Acid deprotonation driven by cation migration at biased graphene nanoflake electrodes.

In situ IR spectroscopy is used to monitor electrolyte composition and acid protonation state at the interface of graphene nanoflake electrodes. Deprotonation of both electrode-immobilised and solution acids is driven by a local increase in cation activity at the electrode surface on application of a negative electrode potential.

Bio-inspired CO2 conversion by iron sulfide catalysts under sustainable conditions.

The mineral greigite presents similar surface structures to the active sites found in many modern-day enzymes. We show that particles of greigite can reduce CO2 under ambient conditions into chemicals such as methanol, formic, acetic and pyruvic acid. Our results also lend support to the Origin of Life theory on alkaline hydrothermal vents.