In situ atomic force microscopy (in situ AFM), as an advanced characterization technique capable of resolving interfacial processes in real time in a true liquid environment, can directly capture the microscopic evolution behaviors during material nucleation, growth, and dissolution, owing to its sub-nanometer spatial resolution and dynamic imaging capability. Although existing studies have widely used it to reveal interfacial structures and kinetic characteristics, systematic understanding of the dynamic coupling mechanisms of interfacial processes in complex solution environments — especially the synergistic effects of external fields, molecular adsorption, and local mass transfer — remains limited. This highly sensitive response to interfacial evolution makes in situ AFM not only an observation tool but also an important platform for understanding the laws of interfacial reactions. In this talk, we will discuss our team's recent progress in using in situ AFM to study biomimetic mineralization, energy materials, and carbonate crystal interfacial behaviors, with a focus on the nucleation, growth, and dissolution mechanisms regulated by proteins or organic molecules. This cross-scale, cross-system research opens new pathways for revealing the intrinsic relationships among interfacial structure, kinetics, and energy, and provides a new experimental basis for the rational design of biomaterials, energy materials, and advanced functional interfaces.
