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Annual Review of Materials Research

Volume 53, 2023

Dynamic In Situ Microscopy in Single-Atom Catalysis: Advancing the Frontiers of Chemical Research

Abstract

Most heterogeneous catalytic processes occur between combinations of gases, liquids, and solids at elevated temperatures. They play a critical role for society in energy production, health care, a cleaner environment, industrial products, food, fuel cells, battery technologies, and photocatalysis. Dynamic gas–solid catalyst reactions take place at the atomic level, with active catalyst structures forming, and often also progressively and competitively deactivating, under reaction conditions. There is increasing evidence that single atoms and small clusters of atoms can act as primary active sites in catalytic reactions. Understanding and directing the reactions at the atomic level under controlled operating conditions are crucial for the development of improved materials and processes. We review advances in dynamic in situ microscopy for directly probing heterogeneous catalysis at the atomic level in live action and real time. Benefits include new knowledge and improved management of process fundamentals for greater efficiency and sustainability.

Keyword(s): dynamic in situ electron microscopy, live action single-atom catalysis
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/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-matsci-080921-102024
2023-07-03
2024-04-29
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/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-matsci-080921-102024
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Dynamic In Situ Microscopy in Single-Atom Catalysis: Advancing the Frontiers of Chemical Research
Annual Review of Materials Research 53, 427 (2023); https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-matsci-080921-102024
/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-matsci-080921-102024
/content/journals/10.1146/annurev-matsci-080921-102024
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