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Time-resolved transmission electron microscopy for nanoscale chemical dynamics
Francis M Alcorn1, Prashant K Jain2, Renske M van der Veen3,4
1Department of Chemistry and Materials Research Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Nature Reviews. Chemistry
|April 28, 2023
Summary
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) now images nanoscale dynamics in real-time. This review covers time-resolved in situ TEM techniques for observing chemical and physical processes, advancing materials science.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemistry
- Physics
Background:
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is crucial for understanding atomic structures and their relation to material properties.
- Recent TEM advancements enable real-time observation of structural evolution at the nanoscale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review time-resolved in situ TEM techniques.
- To discuss their applications in probing chemical and physical processes.
- To highlight emerging directions in TEM.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing direct-electron detectors for microsecond temporal resolution.
- Employing pump-probe microscopy for femtosecond temporal resolution.
- Applying time-resolved in situ TEM for operando studies.
Main Results:
- TEM now probes dynamic nanoscale structural changes.
- Real-time observation of chemical and physical processes is achievable.
- Significant advancements in temporal resolution (femtosecond to microsecond) have been made.
Conclusions:
- Time-resolved in situ TEM is a powerful tool for dynamic material characterization.
- The technique offers unprecedented insights into nanoscale processes.
- Future directions promise further advancements in understanding material behavior.
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