Spatiotemporal visualisation of electrocatalyst/electrolyte interfaces with electrochemical atomic force microscopy: Applications and notes.

Abstract

Electrochemical Atomic Force Microscopy (EC-AFM) has become a powerful tool for visualising dynamic processes at electrode/electrolyte interfaces with a nanoscale resolution. This technique enables real-time monitoring of morphological, chemical, and structural changes in electrocatalysts under operating conditions, providing critical insights into the mechanisms of electrocatalytic reactions. In this review, I introduce some applications of EC-AFM in electrocatalysis research and experimental considerations. The applications include tracking catalyst surface reconstruction, adsorption/desorption dynamics of intermediate species, long-range probing of the electrochemical interface, and catalyst degradation analysis. Moreover, experimental challenges, including cantilever selection, liquid-phase imaging stability, and artefacts, are discussed. Bridging the gap between nanoscale imaging and electrochemical analysis, EC-AFM offers a unique pathway to unravel complex interfacial phenomena critical for the design of next-generation electrocatalysts.