Structural transformations of solid electrocatalysts and photocatalysts

Heterogeneous catalysts often undergo structural transformations when they operate under thermal reaction conditions. These transformations are reflected in their evolving catalytic activity, and a fundamental understanding of the changing nature of active sites is vital for the rational design of solid materials for applications. Beyond thermal catalysis, both photocatalysis and electrocatalysis are topical because they can harness renewable energy to drive uphill reactions that afford commodity chemicals and fuels. Although structural transformations of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts have been observed in operando, the resulting implications for catalytic behaviour are not fully understood. In this Review, we summarize and compare the structural evolution of solid thermal catalysts, electrocatalysts and photocatalysts. We suggest that well-established knowledge of thermal catalysis offers a good basis to understand emerging photocatalysis and electrocatalysis research.

Automated summary

Heterogeneous catalysts often undergo structural transformations during thermal, electrocatalytic, and photocatalytic reactions, affecting the properties of active sites. While structural transformations of photocatalysts and electrocatalysts have been observed in operando, the implications for catalytic behavior are not fully understood yet. Understanding the evolution of solid thermal catalysts can provide insights into emerging research in photocatalysis and electrocatalysis.