DNP in Materials Science: Touching the Surface

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy under magic-angle spinning has recently emerged as a unique analytical method to probe surfaces at atomic resolution. In this article, we first describe the basic principles of dynamic nuclear polarization surface enhanced NMR spectroscopy (DNP SENS). The article continues with a large review of recent literature that illustrates the versatility of this technique and its incredible potential to reveal new structural features at surfaces with details at an unprecedented level. The most recent developments, such as the application of DNP SENS to highly reactive surface sites, are finally covered.