Atomic-scale characterization of (electro-)catalysts and battery materials by atom probe tomography

Abstract

To optimize the performance of heterogeneous (electro-)catalysts and battery electrodes, it is essential to establish the structure-property relationships. This can only be achieved by obtaining a full three-dimensional (3D) characterization of atomic-scale structure and chemistry of these advanced materials. Atom probe tomography (APT) can provide unique insights into 3D elemental distributions, including low-atomic-mass elements, with sub-nanometer spatial resolution. Despite its superior chemical analytical capability and spatial resolution, APT has limited applications for sustainable energy materials due to technical and analytical challenges. The recent developments in experimental setups, sample preparation methods, and data analysis algorithms have opened the door to the possibility of analyzing heterogeneous (electro-)catalysts and battery electrodes. This perspective provides an overview of these developments, exemplified by recent achievements of analyzing model heterogeneous model (electro-)catalysts, nanoparticles, zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and Li-ion battery electrodes, followed by a discussion of limitations, opportunities, and potentials of APT for future scientific exploration.