Clean energy innovation has triggered the thriving development of electrocatalysts which maximize the utilization of renewable energy. Structural characterization of electrocatalysts is vital to the rational design of novel structure, where the fundamentals of catalytic property–structure relationship await exploration. Among the characterization techniques for electrocatalysts, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is an essential tool. Powered by emerging techniques such as in situ TEM, electron tomography and spectroscopic imaging, TEM has become a “nano-lab” and offers profound understanding of the electrocatalysts. In this review, we briefly summarize the recent progress in TEM characterization of electrocatalysts, following three stages of electrocatalysts from synthesis, function to deactivation. Emerging techniques are reviewed to address different challenges in each stage, offering solutions for structural characterization for different needs. Perspectives of TEM for electrocatalysts are finally discussed.

中文翻译：

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新兴的电催化剂透射电子显微镜解决方案：从合成到失活

清洁能源创新引发了电催化剂的蓬勃发展，最大限度地利用了可再生能源。电催化剂的结构表征对于新型结构的合理设计至关重要，催化性能与结构关系的基本原理有待探索。在电催化剂的表征技术中，透射电子显微镜（TEM）是必不可少的工具。在原位TEM、电子断层扫描和光谱成像等新兴技术的推动下，TEM 已成为“纳米实验室”，并提供对电催化剂的深刻理解。在这篇综述中，我们按照电催化剂从合成、功能到失活的三个阶段，简要总结了电催化剂TEM表征的最新进展。回顾新兴技术以解决每个阶段的不同挑战，为不同需求的结构表征提供解决方案。最后讨论了电催化剂的 TEM 前景。