Probing electrochemical CO2 reduction with in-situ/operando TEM

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

In-situ/operando transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is a critical tool for revealing the nanoscale mechanisms of catalyst behavior and degradation in electrochemical CO2 reduction, which is essential for overcoming current commercialization challenges. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.SYNTHESIS. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Zhong Zheng; P. D. Patel; Wei Bi; Hsiwen Wu; Jie Zhang; Thomas E. Rufford; Ruth Knibbe

doi:10.1016/j.mser.2026.101290

September 10, 2026Materials Science and Engineering R ReportsOpen Access

Probing electrochemical CO2 reduction with in-situ/operando TEM

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Key Points

To examine recent progress and technological challenges in using in-situ and operando transmission electron microscopy to uncover catalyst behaviors and degradation mechanisms during electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction.
Synthesized recent literature applying in-situ and operando transmission electron microscopy to carbon dioxide electroreduction systems.
Evaluated structural dynamics, phase transformations, and nanoscale catalyst stability under operational electrochemical conditions.
Identified existing experimental knowledge gaps and outlined strategic directions for future electrocatalyst characterization.
In-situ and operando transmission electron microscopy provides real-time resolution of nanoscale structural evolution, surface reconstruction, and catalyst degradation under operating potentials.
Identified critical mechanistic insights into how dynamic material changes dictate product selectivity, current density, and long-term electrolyzer stability.
Noted ongoing methodological hurdles, including beam-induced artifacts, complex liquid-cell environments, and the challenge of mimicking industrial-scale operating conditions.

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Implication

Review demonstrates nanoscale tracking of catalyst behavior during electrochemical carbon dioxide reduction, highlighting critical mechanisms to guide durable electrocatalyst design.

Abstract

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction (CO 2 R) offers a promising route to convert greenhouse gas emissions into valuable chemicals, but challenges, such as low product selectivity, low current density, insufficient energy efficiency, and material instability, hinder its commercialisation. Addressing these issues requires a deep understanding of the working and degradation mechanisms of electrolysers. In-situ / operando transmission electron microscopy (TEM) offers a powerful method to clarify the structure-performance relationship at the nanoscale. This review critically examines recent advances in the application of in-situ / operando TEM to CO 2 R, highlighting how these techniques have revealed mechanisms underlying catalyst behaviour and degradation. We discuss current challenges in this research field, identify knowledge gaps, and propose future research directions. This work offers a fundamental understanding and some useful insights for researchers aiming to use advanced TEM to boost the development of CO 2 electrocatalysts.

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Cite This Study

Zheng et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aa51ebf327956e4761f8870 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mser.2026.101290

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Probing electrochemical CO2 reduction with in-situ/operando TEM

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Probing electrochemical CO2 reduction with in-situ/operando TEM

Key Points

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Abstract

Discussion

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