And they know that platinum makes the reaction go. But they don't know exactly why or how it works. Observing each step in the reaction might very well allow scientists to alter and improve the reaction. So far, LBL researchers have examined the platinum surface under reaction pressures before and after the adsorption of carbon monoxide, hydrogen, oxygen, and sulfur. Under atomic-resolution magnification, they have been able to observe changes in the atomic structure due to the reaction conditions.
Chemical activity is greatest where atoms of platinum are missing or at steps in the material.
We are looking for these magical places where the reaction proceeds. Already, we have observed the migration and diffusion of sulfur on the surface. Ultimately, we want to see the reaction as it proceeds at the atomic scale. We want to look at a long list of catalysts and trace the fate of individual atoms throughout the course of the reaction. The epitaxial or layered growth of materials is another field of chemistry that is under investigation with the new microscopes.