Overview

• Scientists observed the complete lifecycle of palladium nanoparticles in liquid, including nucleation, growth, and dissolution, using transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
• The nanoparticles exhibit unique oscillatory behavior, repeatedly growing and dissolving, which could revolutionize catalytic processes for sustainable reactions like carbon dioxide reduction and ammonia synthesis.
• The findings highlight opportunities to improve the recycling of palladium, a critical metal with decreasing global supply, addressing key sustainability challenges.
• Experiments using carbon nanotubes as miniature test tubes allowed atomic-resolution imaging, revealing detailed interactions between nanoparticles and solvent molecules.
• The study suggests broader implications of chemical oscillations, potentially offering insights into emergent behaviors, transitions from chaos to order, and the origins of life.