A groundbreaking new technology has been developed by a team led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), offering unprecedented insights into the workings of catalysts at the atomic level. This innovative technique has enabled researchers to delve into electrochemical processes with remarkable resolution, shedding light on essential reactions that power a wide array of technologies.

Electrochemical reactions, which involve chemical transformations triggered by the flow of electric currents, underpin crucial technologies such as batteries, fuel cells, electrolysis, and solar-powered fuel generation. Moreover, these reactions play a pivotal role in biological processes like photosynthesis and geological phenomena involving metal ores.

The scientists at Berkeley Lab have created a specialized cell known as a polymer liquid cell (PLC), designed to encapsulate all the elements of an electrochemical reaction. This cell can be coupled with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to provide precise, atomic-scale views of reactions. Notably, the PLC can be frozen at specific timepoints to halt reactions, enabling researchers to track composition changes at various stages using complementary characterization tools.

In a recent publication in Nature, the team detailed their innovative cell and its application in studying a copper catalyst involved in the conversion of carbon dioxide into fuels. Lead author and senior scientist at Berkeley Lab’s Materials Science Division, Haimei Zheng, emphasized the significance of this breakthrough, stating, ‘The liquid cell enables real-time observation of complex solid-liquid interface interactions during electrocatalytic reactions. This capability allows us to witness the dynamic movement and transformation of catalyst surface atoms as they interact with the liquid electrolyte.’

The research team, led by Haimei Zheng, along with first author Qiubo Zhang, harnessed their novel technology in conjunction with advanced microscopes at Berkeley Lab’s National Center for Electron Microscopy. By utilizing in-situ TEM images, they visualized the evolution of the amorphous interphase between the solid copper catalyst and liquid electrolyte at different timepoints. High-resolution TEM images further revealed intricate atomic dynamics influenced by the amorphous interphase.

This groundbreaking approach not only offers a deeper understanding of catalytic processes at the atomic level but also paves the way for advancements in diverse fields reliant on electrochemical reactions. The ability to observe and analyze reactions in real time with unparalleled precision holds immense promise for enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of various technologies.