Investigation of active electrocatalytic centers under reaction conditions using operando microscopies

Electrocatalysis is crucial for transitioning from a fossil fuel-based to a renewable energy society. In situ identification of electrocatalytic active centers is required to realize this vision, enabling observing the catalytic behavior comprehensively and continuously in real-time under relevant reaction conditions and providing insight into reaction steps. Operando method-ology incorporates in situ analysis and simultaneous mea-surements of catalytic performance. In this manuscript, we analyze the recent progress in the observation of active sites in a wide range of electrocatalysts and various electrocatalytic reactions by employing operando microscopies, including liquid cell transmission electron microscopy (LCTEM), elec-trochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM), scan-ning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM). We showcase their capability to correlate the electrocatalytic activity with catalyst topological and structural properties.

Automated summary

Electrocatalysis plays a crucial role in transitioning to a renewable energy society. In this manuscript, the recent progress in the observation of active sites in various electrocatalysts and reactions is analyzed using operando microscopies. These techniques allow for real-time identification and comprehensive observation of electrocatalytic behavior, providing insights into reaction steps and correlating activity with catalyst properties.