Metal Atoms on Surfaces and Interfaces (MASI)

This is an advanced microscopy technique that uses a specially designed transmission electron microscope operating at low accelerating voltages and often with liquid cells or ultrathin supports to image materials and reactions in real time at near‑atomic resolution, while reducing beam‑induced damage.[1][2][4] In the Pt–Ni study, a SALVE‑type low‑voltage TEM with graphene supports was used to directly visualize the mixing, separation, and oxidation of atoms within individual nanoclusters as they evolved toward catalytically active structures.[1][2]

These are nanoscale catalyst particles composed initially of alloyed platinum and nickel atoms that can reorganize under stimulus into hybrid structures with one platinum-rich metallic half and one nickel oxide half, joined at an atomically defined interface highly active for the hydrogen evolution reaction in water electrolysis.[1][2] The material aims to provide record‑level hydrogen production performance while minimizing platinum usage by leveraging cooperative interactions between Pt and NiO at the interface.[1][2][6]

Electrochemical water splitting is a process in which water molecules are split into hydrogen and oxygen gases by applying an electrical potential across two electrodes, with the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) occurring at the cathode and the oxygen evolution reaction at the anode.[6] It is a cornerstone technology for producing green hydrogen when powered by renewable electricity, and its efficiency strongly depends on the performance of the electrocatalysts used at each electrode.[6]

East Midlands (Nottingham) and Oxfordshire (Diamond Light Source)

Baden-Württemberg (Ulm)