Dynamic behavior of metal nanoparticles for catalysis

•The advances on the dynamic behavior of metal nanoparticles for catalysis are reviewed.•Metal nanoparticles experience structure evolution under reactive gases at elevated temperatures.•Variations in geometric and electronic properties of metal nanoparticles are intimately linked to their catalytic performance.•In situ microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations favor to establish the intrinsic structure-activity relationship of metal catalysts.