High resolution electron microscopy for heterogeneous catalysis research

TL;DR

This paper reviews how advanced high-resolution electron microscopy techniques, especially (S)TEM, enable detailed analysis of nanocatalysts' structure and chemistry, advancing catalyst design and understanding.

Contribution

It highlights recent developments in (S)TEM methods, including 3D reconstruction and in-situ analysis, for improved characterization of heterogeneous catalysts.

Findings

High-resolution (S)TEM provides atomic-scale structural insights.

In-situ (S)TEM captures real-time catalyst evolution.

3D reconstruction enhances understanding of catalyst morphology.

Abstract

Heterogeneous catalysts are the most important catalysts in industrial reactions. Nanocatalysts, with size ranging from hundreds of nanometers to the atomic scale, possess activities that are closely connected to their structural characteristics such as particle size, surface morphology, and three-dimensional topography. Recently, the development of advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques, especially quantitative high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging and high-energy resolution spectroscopy analysis in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) at the atomic scale, strengthens the power of (S)TEM in analyzing the structural/chemical information of heterogeneous catalysts. Three-dimensional reconstruction from two-dimensional projected images and the real-time recording of structural evolution during catalytic reactions using in-situ (S)TEM methods further broaden the scope of (S)TEM observation. The atomic-scale structural information obtained from high resolution (S)TEM has proven to be of significance for better understanding and designing of new catalysts with enhanced performance.