The dynamics of individual solvated ions near solid surfaces is the driving force behind numerous interfacial processes, from electrochemical reactions to charge storage, mineral growth, biosignalling and bioenergetics. The precise system behaviour is delicately dependent on the atomistic and molecular details of the interface and remains difficult to capture with generalisable, analytical models. Reported dynamics can vary by orders of magnitude depending on microscopic details of the solvent, ions and/or surface chemistry. Experimentally, tracking single solvated ions as they move at or along interfaces remains highly challenging. This is, to some extent, offset by simulations that can provide precise atomistic insights, but usually over limited timescales. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of this highly interdisciplinary field, its achievements and remaining challenges, reviewing both experimental and computational results. Starting from the well accepted continuum description of dissolved ions at solid-liquid interfaces, we outline the challenges of deriving local information, illustrating the discussion with a range of selected studies. We explore the challenges associated with simultaneously achieving the spatial and temporal resolution needed to gain meaningful, yet contextual insights of single ions’ dynamics. Based on the current studies, we anticipate the future developments in the field, outlining remaining challenges and opportunities.

中文翻译：

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固液界面处溶剂化金属离子的局部追踪


固体表面附近单个溶剂化离子的动力学是许多界面过程背后的驱动力，从电化学反应到电荷存储、矿物生长、生物信号和生物能量学。精确的系统行为微妙地依赖于界面的原子和分子细节，并且仍然难以用通用的分析模型来捕获。报告的动力学可能会根据溶剂、离子和/或表面化学的微观细节而变化几个数量级。在实验上，跟踪单个溶剂化离子在界面处或沿界面移动时仍然极具挑战性。在某种程度上，这可以通过模拟来抵消，模拟可以提供精确的原子见解，但通常在有限的时间范围内。本综述的目的是概述这个高度跨学科的领域、其成就和仍然存在的挑战，回顾实验和计算结果。从广泛接受的固液界面溶解离子的连续描述开始，我们概述了获取局部信息的挑战，并通过一系列选定的研究说明了讨论。我们探索了与同时实现空间和时间分辨率相关的挑战，以获得对单离子动力学的有意义的、上下文的洞察。根据当前的研究，我们预测该领域的未来发展，概述剩余的挑战和机遇。