Variable temperature investigation of the atomic structure of gold nanoparticles

Journal article (2010)

Authors

NP Young External organisation
M.A. van Huis QN/High Resolution Electron Microscopy
H.W. Zandbergen QN/High Resolution Electron Microscopy
H Xu External organisation
A.I Kirkland External organisation
Research Group
QN/High Resolution Electron Microscopy
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Published Date

2010

Language

English

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Research Group

QN/High Resolution Electron Microscopy

Abstract

The characterisation of nanoparticle structures is the first step towards understanding and optimising their utility in important technological applications such as catalysis. Using newly developed in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) specimen holders, the temperature dependent atomic structure of gold nanoparticles in the size range 5¿12 nm has been investigated. In this size interval, the decahedral morphology has been identified as the most favourable structure at or above room temperature, while particle surface roughening becomes evident above 600°C. An icosahedral transition has also been identified at low temperature in particles under 9 nm in diameter. These experimental results are consistent with recently published temperature dependent equilibrium phase maps for gold nanoparticles.
PACS61.46.Df Structure of nanocrystals and nanoparticles ("colloidal" quantum dots but not gate-isolated embedded quantum dots)

64.70.K- Solid¿solid transitions

81.16.-c Methods of nanofabrication and processing

68.35.B- Structure of clean surfaces (and surface reconstruction)

68.37.Lp Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
SubjectsSurfaces, interfaces and thin films

Condensed matter: structural, mechanical & thermal