In situ electron microscopy has rapidly evolved over the past years, enabling a direct view on functional materials under operating conditions. In particular for the field of heterogeneous catalysis, the development of in situ gas-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) is crucial in unravelling the complex interplay between the structural changes and the dynamic performance of catalyst materials at elevated temperatures and upon exposure to reactive gasses. Aided by the impressive technological developments in both the in situ electron microscopy equipment as well as the evolution of aberration corrected electron microscopy and automated image processing, we can now visualize these changes with atomic resolution, in real-time and on a single particle level, and extract quantitative information from these data. The focus of this session is to highlight the recent achievements in operando electron microscopy, learn about the new opportunities the ongoing technological developments offer, and identify the urgent challenges in the field of heterogenous catalysis that can be addressed with in situ electron microscopy, thereby contributing to the design of more efficient and durable catalyst materials for sustainable chemical conversions.
