Environmental Transmission Electron Microscopy (ETEM) Research Group

Our research directions:

• In-situ electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia, urea, formic acid, and ethylene;

• In-situ carburization, oxidation, and reduction processes in nanomaterials;

• In-situ thermal catalytic reactions of small molecules.

AI for Science: Empowering the Future of Dynamic Chemical Reaction Imaging

     AI for Science serves as our core research engine for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image processing. By integrating advanced artificial intelligence algorithms with state-of-the-art microscopy techniques, we achieve unprecedented levels of image clarity, precision, and analytical depth. Our self-developed AI platforms accelerate data interpretation, reveal hidden structural dynamics, and drive breakthroughs in materials science and catalysis.

   

2016-2022     博士     纽约州立大学 (SUNY Binghamton)

2022-2023     博后     劳伦斯伯克利国家实验室（LBNL）&美国国家电镜中心(NCEM)

2016.08-2022.02   纽约州立大学  (SUNY Binghamton)                   科研助理

2019.03-2022.02   匹兹堡大学  (Pitt)                                               访问学生

2018.06-2018.09   布鲁克海文国家实验室  (BNL)                             访问学生

2018.03-2019.03   美国标准与技术研究所 (NIST)                             访问学生

• 中国国家留学基金委海外优秀自费留学生奖学金B类 （50人/年 全球） (2022) 

• 美国纽约州立大学博士研究生优秀科研奖 (2022)

• 山西省优秀硕士毕业论文 (2016)

• 研究生国家奖学金 (2015)

#  co-first author              *  corresponding author

2025

37. Z. Liang, S. Ye, Y. Wu, Z. Zhou, X.H. Sun, L. Qiao, M. Li, J.C. Yang, G.W. Zhou*, Dual roles of stepped surfaces: catalytic initiators and stabilizers of oxygen-induced reconstructions, Materials Today Nano 32, 100714 (2025). (download)

36. S.B. Patel, X. Chen, D. Wu, Z. Zhou, Y. Wu, Y. Zhu, C. Li, X.H. Sun, X. Tong, A. Al-Mahboob, D. Lu, J.A. Boscoboinik, J.T. Sadowski, G.W. Zhou*, Thermally driven surface phase separation in intermetallic alloys, Nature Communications (2025). (in press)

35. A. Bai^#, F. Zhang^#, B. Zhang^#, H.H. Wang, M. Li, Y.J. Zhao, Z. Zeng, W.Tu, S.D. House, W. Liu, J.C. Yang, Z.Y. Lun*, G.W. Zhou*, X.H. Sun*. Structural chemistry of oxides: Oxygen vacancy dynamics. Journal of Energy Chemistry 114, 32-51 (2025). (download)

34. W. Tu, F. Zhang, X. Song, L. Jin, A. Bai, Z. Zeng, T.D. Xu*, X.H. Sun*, Y. Yang, J.Y. Huang*. In situ TEM reveals direct one-step reduction of van der Waals crystal MoO₃ to Mo. Nano Letters 25, 13926 (2025). (download)

33. Y.T. Cao^#, Y.J. Zhao^#, T.T. Tang, S. Cui, M. Li, X.H. Sun, W. Cui, H. Zhao*. In situ tracking of MOF structural reconstruction toward a Cu/Bi/MOF composite electrocatalyst for efficient CO₂-to-formate conversion. Chemical Engineering Journal 522, 167200 (2025). (download)

32. D.X. Wu, X.H. Sun, L.F. Zou, D. Zakharov, J.C. Yang, G.W. Zhou*. Dynamic surface restructuring in Cu(Au) alloys driven by oxygen-mediated Au mobility. Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters 16, 7280-‌7287 (2025). (download)

31. X.H. Sun*, D. Wu, J. Wang, S.B. Patel1, W. Zhu, J. Yang, T. T. Yang, S. Ye, X. Chen, Y. Zhu, L. Qiao, M. Li, S.D. House, J. Su, W.A. Saidi, J.A. Boscoboinik, J.C. Yang, R. Sharma, G.W. Zhou*. Oscillatory redox behavior in oxides: cyclic surface reconstruction and reactivity modulation via Mars-van Krevelen mechanism. PNAS 122, e2422711122 (2025). (download)

30. W. Tu, Z. Zeng, Y.J. Zhao, Z.H. Jia, C.X. Meng, W. Liu*, X.H. Sun*, J.Y. Huang*, In-situ multi-scale study of iron oxidation at high temperatures. Nano Letters 25, 20, 8089-8095 (2025). (download)

29. Y.J. Zhao, M.R. Huang, Y.S. Kang, Y. Fang, T.Y. Zhao, H. Wang, J.Y. Ou, J.J. Liu, M.X. Zhong, T. Wang, X.H. Sun*, C.Y. Zhao*, D. Wang*. Ligand effects enhancing low-temperature oxygen reduction kinetics in neutral conditions. Energy & Environmental Science 18, 5298-5308 (2025). (download)  

(Energy & Environmental Science Recent HOT Articles, 2025)

28. Z. Zhou, X. Chen, D. Wu, D. Zhu, J. Chen, X.H. Sun, M. Li, C. Cai, J. Yang, G. Zhou*, In-situ electron microscopy: atomic-level insights into metal oxidation dynamics. npj Materials Degradation, 9, 28 (2025). (download)

2024

27. Q. B. Zhang^#, Z.G. Song^#, X. H. Sun^#, Y. Liu^#, J.W. Wan, S. B. Betzler, Q. Zheng, J.Y. Shangguan, K.C. Bustillo, P. Ercius, P. Narang, Y. Huang, H. M. Zheng*, Atomic dynamics of electrified solid-liquid interfaces in liquid cell TEM. Nature 630, 643-647 (2024). (download)

26. Z. Liang, D. Wu, X.H. Sun, X. Chen, D. Zakharov, J. Yang, G.W. Zhou, Atomic-scale visualization of surface segregation and ordering of Pt in dilute Cu(Pt) alloy under hydrogen atmosphere. Journal of Physical Chemistry C 128 (43), 18236-18246 (2024). (download)

25. Y.C. Zhang ^#, H. Chen ^#, R.Z. Yu , W. Yang , J. He , H.Y. Li , X.H. Sun*, Zhengyan Lun*, Unlocking fast Li ion transport in micrometer sized Mn based cation disordered rocksalt cathodes. J. Energy Chem. 99, 645-653 (2024). (download) 

24. S.N. Ye, X.B. Chen, X.H. Sun, S. Patel, Y.P. Wu, T. Singler, P. Zhang, G.W. Zhou*, Oxidation-induced oxide shell rupture and phase separation in eutectic gallium-indium nanoparticles, ACS Nano, 18, 36, 25107 (2024). (download)

   

23. D.X. Wu^#, X.H. Sun^#, J.C. Yang, G.W. Zhou^*, Intermittent oxidation kinetics and metal/oxide interfacial undulation, Phys. Rev. B 110, 085402 (2024). (download)

22. H. Chen^#, Y. Zhang^#, Y. Zhao^#, J. Liao, J. He, R. Yu, S. Tan, R. Zhang, T. Hou*, X.H. Sun*, Z. Lun*, Chelator optimization enabled defect engineering for cation disordered rocksalt cathodes via solution-based synthesis method. Energy Storage Materials, 103990 (2024). (download)

21. X. H. Sun, D. X. Wu, W. A. Saidi, W. Zhu, W. D. Yang, S. D. House, M. Li, R. Sharma, J. C. Yang, and G. W. Zhou, Atomic dynamics of multi-interfacial migration and transformations. Small, 2305746 (2024). (download)

Before 2024

20. X. H. Sun^#, D. X. Wu^#, L. F. Zou, S. D. House, X. B. Chen, M. Li, D. N. Zakharov, J. C. Yang, G. W. Zhou, Dislocation-induced stop-and-go kinetics of interfacial transformations. Nature, 607, 708–713 (2022). (download)      

          

19. X. H. Sun, J. Y. Wang, X. B. Chen, S. N. Ye, Z. L. Liang, J. C. Yang, G. W. Zhou, In-situ environmental TEM observations of structural evolution of oxygenated Cu(110) in CO. Microscopy & Microanalysis, 28, 186-188 (2022).

18. Z. L. Liang, J. Y. Wang, X. H. Sun, X. Chen, D. Zakharov, G. W. Zhou, In-situ Atomic-scale Observations of Disconnection Dynamics at the Metal/Oxide Interfaces. Microscopy & Microanalysis, 28, 150-151 (2022).

17. X. B. Chen, S. M. Zhang, C. Li, Z. J. Liu, X. H. Sun, S. B. Cheng, D. N. Zakharov, S. Hwang, Y. M. Zhu, J. Y. Fang, G. F. Wang, and G. W. Zhou, Composition-dependent ordering transformations in Pt-Fe nanoalloys. PNAS 119, e2117899119 (2022).

16. X. B. Chen, Z. Y. Liu, D. X. Wu, N. Cai, X. H. Sun, D. N. Zakharov, S. Hwang, D. Su, G. F. Wang, and G. W. Zhou, Passive Oxide Film Growth Observed On the Atomic Scale. Advanced Materials Interfaces 2102487 (2022).

15. H. W. Yao, Y. M. Liu, X. H. Sun, Y. P. Lu, T. M. Wang, and T. J. Li, Microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti₃V₂NbAl_xNi_y low-density refractory multielement alloys. Intermetallics 133, 107187 (2021).

14. Z. L. Liang, D. X. Wu, X. H. Sun, X. B. Chen, D. Zakharov, G. W. Zhou, Hydrogen-adsorption induced surface segregation and chemical ordering in Cu-Pt alloys. Microscopy & Microanalysis 27, 50-51 (2021).

13. X. B. Chen, J. Y. Wang, X. H. Sun, D. Zakharov, S. Hwang, G. W. Zhou, In-situ atomic-scale visualization of atomic-step induced NiO growth during the oxidation of Ni. Microscopy & Microanalysis 27, 1958-1959 (2021).

12. X. H. Sun^#, D. X. Wu^#, W. H. Zhu, X. B. Chen, R. Sharma, J. C. Yang, and G. W. Zhou, Atomic origin of the autocatalytic reduction of monoclinic CuO in a hydrogen atmosphere. The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, 12, 9547–9556 (2021).

11. X. H. Sun, R. B. Garza, X. B. Chen, M. Li, S. D. House, W. A. Saidi, J. C. Yang, G. W. Zhou, In-situ ETEM observation of intergranular oxidation of copper. Microscopy & Microanalysis, 27, 1308-1311 (2021).                                                          

10. X. H. Sun, W. H. Zhu, D. X. Wu, C. R. Li, J. Y. Wang, Y. G. Zhu, X. B. Chen, J. A. Boscoboinik, R. Sharma, G. W. Zhou, Surface-reaction induced structural oscillations in the subsurface. Nature Communications 11, 305 (2020).

(Featured in a Nature Communications Editors’ Highlights webpage. Mentioned in news and blogs: Newswise, Phys.org, Long Room, Mining room, Device Materials Community, Bioengineer)

9.  X. H. Sun^#, W. H. Zhu^#, D. X. Wu, Z. Y. Liu, X. B. Chen, L. Yuan, G. F. Wang, R. Sharma, and G. W. Zhou, Atomic-scale mechanism of unidirectional oxide growth, Advanced Functional Materials 30, 1906504 (2020).

                  

8. X. H. Sun, D. X. Wu, W. H. Zhu, M. Li, W. C. D. Yang, S. D. House, X. B. Chen, R. Sharma, J. C. Yang, and G. W. Zhou, In-situ atomic-scale visualization of autocatalytic reduction of CuO with H₂. Microscopy & Microanalysis 26, 3048-3050 (2020).

7. L. F. Zou, P. H. Cao, Y. K. Lei, D. N. Zakharov, X. H. Sun, S. D. House, L. L. Luo, J. Li, Y. Yang, Q. Y. Yin, X. B. Chen, C. R. Li, H. L. Qin, E. Stach, J. C. Yang, G. F. Wang, and G. W. Zhou, Atomic-scale phase separation induced clustering of solute atoms. Nature Communications 11, 3934 (2020).

6. K. Liu, S. M. Zhang, D. X. Wu, L. L. Luo, X. H. Sun, X. B. Chen, D. N. Zakharov, J. C. Yang, G. F. Wang, G. W. Zhou, Effect of surface steps on composition ordering and restructuring in the subsurface of Cu(Au) solid solution. Physical Review B 103, 035401 (2020).

5. X. B. Chen, D. X. Wu, X. H. Sun, D. N. Zakharov, S. Hwang, D. Su, G. W. Zhou, In-situ atomic-resolution observations of surface passivation induced metal/oxide interfacial transformation. Microscopy & Microanalysis 26 , 3048-3050 (2020).

4. Y. S. Wang, X. H. Sun, G. J. Hao, Z. X. Guo, Y. Zhang, J. P. Lin, and J. W. Qiao, Fracture morphology and local deformation characteristics in the metallic glass matrix composite under tension. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions A 48, 1545-1550 (2017).

3. X. H. Sun, J. W. Qiao, Z. M. Jiao, Z. H. Wang, H. J. Yang and B. S. Xu, An improved tensile deformation model for in-situ dendrite/metallic glass matrix composites. Scientific Reports 5, 13964 (2015).

2. X. H. Sun, Y. S. Wang, J. Fan, H. J. Yang, S. G. Ma, Z. H. Wang and J. W. Qiao, Plasticity improvement for dendrite/metallic glass matrix composites by pre-deformation. Materials and Design 86, 266–271 (2015).

1. X. H. Sun, H. J. Yang, Y. S. Wang, S. P. Pan, Z. H. Wang, B. S. Xu and J. W. Qiao, Evolution of hardness and modulus within a cold-rolled in situ dendrite-reinforced metallic glass matrix composites. Materials Research Innovations 19, 170-174 (2015).

      

Our ETEM group has established good cooperative relationships with world-class-level research groups from the State University of New York, University of Pittsburgh, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley, Institute of Standards and Technology, Sandia National Laboratories, and Brookhaven National Laboratory. We strongly encourage our group members to engage in international cooperation and studying/visiting abroad.

   

2025/05/29   BBQ under the great wall. Send-off party for Mr. Jiacheng Wei & Birthday party for Ms. Lu Jin. 

2024/11  The first anniversary of our ETEM group

• 2025/06/11 Our new paper entitled "Oscillatory redox behavior in oxides: Cyclic surface reconstruction and reactivity modulation via the Mars–van Krevelen mechanism" is on-line in PNAS. This study visualizes a tranditional Mars–van Krevelen (MvK) mechanism proposed about 70 years ago. Our results refine the understanding of how surface–bulk interactions shape reactivity, with broad implications for catalysis and materials design.

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• 2025/05/30  Congratulations!  Mr. Jiacheng Wei will study abroad at Aalto University at Finland to obtain Computer Science Master Degree.

2503班 青年班主任

2025-2026   本科课程低年级研讨课I（化学）

2025-2026   科学与艺术融合视角下陶艺创新实践课程