Recent advances in gas-involved in situ studies via transmission electron microscopy

Gases that are widely used in research and industry have a significant effect on both the configuration of solid materials and the evolution of reactive systems. Traditional studies on gas-solid interactions have mostly been static and post-mortem and unsatisfactory for elucidating the real active states during the reactions. Recent developments of controlled-atmosphere transmission electron microscopy （TEM） have led to impressive progress towards the simulation of real-world reaction environments, allowing the atomic-scale recording of dynamic events. In this review, on the basis of the in situ research of our group, we outline the principles and features of the controlled-atmosphere TEM techniques and summarize the significant recent progress in the research activities on gas-solid interactions, including nanowire growth, catalysis, and metal failure. Additionally, the challenges and opportunities in the real-time observations on such platform are discussed.