Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
14:21
Performing In Situ Closed-Cell Gas Reactions in the Transmission Electron Microscope
Published on: July 24, 2021
Electrochemiluminescence Illuminates Single-Atom Catalysts: Real-Time Atomic-Scale Dynamics and Operando Electronic
Yacheng Shi1, Wenlu Li2, Jiu-Ju Feng1
1College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, College of Chemistry and Materials Science, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, China.
Small Methods
|July 25, 2026
Summary
This review highlights electrochemiluminescence (ECL) as a powerful tool for understanding single-atom catalysts (SACs). ECL provides dynamic, structure-resolved insights into SACs during operation, bridging the gap between atomic structure and catalytic function.
Area of Science:
- Catalysis
- Materials Science
- Spectroscopy
Background:
- Single-atom catalysts (SACs) offer precise active sites for electrocatalysis.
- Characterizing SACs under working conditions is challenging due to static or averaged data.
- Understanding dynamic structural evolution is crucial for optimizing SAC performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present electrochemiluminescence (ECL) as a structure-informative probe for single-atom catalysis.
- To establish a framework linking active-site structure, intermediate chemistry, and photon emission.
- To review ECL's capability in elucidating SAC properties and operando behavior.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing ECL as an operando optical transduction strategy.
- Analyzing potential-, time-, spectral-, and spatial-resolved photon signals.
- Emphasizing advances in potential-resolved ECL, time-dependent ECL, and super-resolution ECL microscopy.
Main Results:
- ECL can reveal active-site identity, density, and coordination configuration.
- ECL provides insights into electronic/spin structure and reaction intermediates.
- ECL demonstrates potential for analyzing catalytic heterogeneity and dynamic changes.
Conclusions:
- ECL is a promising technique for operando analysis of single-atom catalysts.
- It offers a bridge between static atomic structures and dynamic catalytic functions.
- Further development is needed to transition ECL into a quantitative structural tool.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Lab
AES is a powerful analytical technique, especially effective when used with plasma sources, producing abundant spectra in characteristic emission lines. The Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), in particular, yields superior quantitative analytical data due to its high stability, low noise, low background, and minimal interferences under optimal experimental conditions. However, newer air-operated microwave sources are emerging as promising alternatives that could be more cost-effective than...
01:22Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Instrumentation
The instrumentation of atomic emission spectrometry (AES) involves various components, including atomization devices that convert samples into gas-phase atoms and ions. There are two main types of atomization devices: continuous and discrete atomizers. Continuous atomizers, like plasmas and flames, introduce samples in a constant stream, while discrete atomizers inject individual samples using syringes or autosamplers. The most common discrete atomizer is the electrothermal atomizer.
01:20Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Overview
Atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) is an analytical technique used to determine the elemental composition of a sample by analyzing the light emitted from excited atoms. In AES, atoms in a sample are excited to higher energy levels by thermal energy from high-temperature sources, such as plasma, arcs, or sparks. When these excited atoms return to lower energy states, they emit light at specific wavelengths characteristic of each element. The resulting atomic emission spectrum, which consists of...
01:14Photoluminescence: Applications
Photoluminescence offers a wide range of applications due to its inherent sensitivity and selectivity. This technique allows for both direct and indirect analyses of the analyte. Direct quantitative analysis is possible when the analyte exhibits a favorable quantum yield for fluorescence or phosphorescence. However, an indirect analysis may be feasible if the analyte is not fluorescent or phosphorescent, or if the quantum yield is unfavorable. Indirect methods include reacting the analyte with...
01:29Atomic Fluorescence Spectroscopy
Atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) is an analytical technique that involves the electronic transitions of atoms in a flame, furnace, or plasma being excited by electromagnetic (EM) radiation. When these atoms absorb energy, they become excited and subsequently release energy as they return to their original state. This emitted light, or "fluorescence," is observed at a right angle to the incident beam. Both absorption and emission processes transpire at distinct wavelengths, which are...
01:19Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy: Principle
Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) is the most widely used plasma source in atomic emission spectroscopy (AES), also known as Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The ICP source, or torch, consists of three concentric quartz tubes with argon gas flowing through them. A spark from a Tesla coil initiates the ionization of argon, generating a high-temperature plasma.
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...
The ions and electrons produced interact with the fluctuating magnetic field created by a water-cooled...