Understanding the mechanisms behind catalytic reactions and processes is essential in many areas, including the chemical industry or the transition to more sustainable energy models. These reactions play a central role in processes such as the production of sustainable fuels and the conversion of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into valuable products. However, tracking these reactions in detail requires tools that are extremely powerful and capable of relating the atomic structure of materials to their behaviour under realistic conditions. Researchers at ICN2 have achieved major progress in this area by combining electrochemistry and electron microscopy to enable the observation of catalytic reactions at the micro and nanoscale, in real time. This work was led by scientists from the Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group, and the Electron Microscopy Unit.

As part of the InCAEM project, the team has optimised and validated an electrochemical liquid cell connected to a potentiostat for use with scanning electron microscopy. This novel system applies an electrical potential to the chemical species, allowing their structural changes to be directly observed in the microscope during the electrochemical reaction. Using copper as a model system, the researchers observed in-situ how its morphology evolved and how dendritic structures formed as the material passed through different oxidation states.

This approach could be key to identifying the active features of a catalyst, understanding how materials degrade with use and designing more efficient, durable catalysts. It could also be pivotal for the development of clean technologies in the coming years.

This achievement builds on the group’s previous work on advanced electron microscopy techniques for validating catalytic materials. A recent review article published in Matter and authored by Dr Alba Garzón Manjón, David Llorens, and ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol (Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group) highlights these advances. Dr Alba Garzón has also been awarded the “Rising Star in Measurement Science” prize by ACS Measurement Science Au, in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the field. This award includes an invitation to publish a featured article in the journal, showcasing her latest research.

Acknowledgements 

SOS SEED FUNDING: ELECTROSEA (ICN2 Severo Ochoa, 2024–2025, Alba Garzón Manjón y Alejandro G. Roca): CEX2021-001214-S financiada por MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 

Ayuda RYC2021‐033479‐ I (Alba Garzón Manjón) financiada por MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 y por la Unión Europea NextGenerationEU/PRTR 

 «Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia – Financiado por la Unión Europea – NextGenerationEU» 

 Financiado por el MICIU con fondos de la Unión Europea-NextGenerationEU(PRTR-C17.I1) y por la Generalitat de Catalunya.  

Financiado por el Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia de la Unión europea, establecido por el Reglamento (UE) 2020/2094 del Consejo, de 14 de diciembre de 2020, por el que se establece un Instrumento de Recuperación de la Unión Europea para apoyar la recuperación tras la crisis de la COVID-19, y regulado según Reglamento (UE) 2021/241 del Parlamento Europeo y del Consejo de 12 de febrero de 2021 por el que se establece el Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia, y quedará sometido a la totalidad de la normativa reguladora del Mecanismo de Recuperación y Resiliencia.  

Se enmarca en la implementación de los Planes Complementarios de I+D+I con las comunidades autónomas, que forman parte del componente 17 del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia, denominado “Reforma institucional y fortalecimiento de las capacidades del Sistema Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación”, en concreto en el SUBPROYECTO DE I+D “INSTALACIÓN CORRELATIVA IN-SITU PARA MATERIALES AVANZADOS PARA ENERGÍA (In-CAEM)” DEL PLAN COMPLEMENTARIO EN EL ÁREA DE MATERIALES AVANZADOS como parte de actuaciones del programa de Materiales Avanzados “Materials amb funcionalitats avançades per a la nova transformació tecnològica”, correspondientes a la comunidad autónoma de Cataluña, gestionado a través del Departament de Recerca i Universitats de la Generalitat de Catalunya.