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

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 struc-ture 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-nano -meter spatial resolution. Despite its superior chemical analytical capability and spatial resolution, APT has limited applications for sustainable energy materials due to technical and analytical chal-lenges. The recent developments in experimental setups, sample preparation methods, and data analysis algorithms have opened the door to the possibility of analyzing heterogeneous (electro-)cat-alysts and battery electrodes. This perspective provides an over-view of these developments, exemplified by recent achievements of analyzing model heterogeneous model (electro-)catalysts, nano -particles, zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and Li-ion battery electrodes, followed by a discussion of limitations, opportu-nities, and potentials of APT for future scientific exploration.