Scientists count electric charges in a single catalyst nanoparticle down to the electron: Tenfold improvement in the sensitivity of electron holography reveals the net charge in a single platinum nanoparticle with a precision of just one electron, providing fundamental information for developing future catalysts

Researchers demonstrated the direct counting of small electric charges in individual catalyst nanoparticles. Ultrahigh sensitivity and precision electron holography improved by the developed noise reduction process revealed the potential distribution around a platinum nanoparticle on a surface of titanium oxide and identified the individual nanoparticle's charge state -- the number and sense (positive or negative) of the charge. This sophisticated microscopy technique will be key for developing highly functional catalysts.