Making Morphology Meaningful: Tracking Dynamic Catalyst Evolution under Working Conditions

Morphology control has long been a widely adopted strategy in catalyst design, based on the assumption that geometric and electronic structures are inseparable in determining catalytic behavior. This perspective revisits that assumption by highlighting how catalyst structures dynamically evolve under realistic reaction conditions. Traditional structural descriptors, including local structural metrics such as coordination number and morphology-related features such as facet exposure, are commonly derived from the as-synthesized state and may not reflect the actual active configurations during reactions. Evidence from photocatalytic, thermocatalytic, and electrocatalytic systems reveals that catalysts undergo significant structural and electronic transformations in response to illumination, thermal input, and applied potential. These findings challenge the conventional static structure-activity paradigm and call for a revised framework that integrates morphology control with in situ characterization techniques. By tracking structural, electronic, and compositional changes in real time, morphology can be redefined not as a fixed geometric label but as an evolving platform that connects initial design to dynamic catalytic function.