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Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Studying Dynamic Processes of Nano-sized Objects in Liquid using Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy
Published on: February 5, 2017
Assembly and interaction of Au/C core-shell nanostructures: in situ observation in the transmission electron
Eli Sutter1, Peter Sutter, Yimei Zhu
1Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY 11973, USA. esutter@bnl.gov
Abstract:
Using transmission electron microscopy, we identify the temperature-dependent interaction pathway of carbon-supported Au nanoparticles. At low temperature (room temp. to 400 degrees C), Au nanoparticles predominantly interact by coalescence initiated by an atomic Au bridge. At high temperature (400-800 degrees C), the particles assemble into Au/C core-shell nanostructures. C-shells around individual nanoparticles passivate their surface and prevent coalescence. Ultimately coalescence does occur via rupture of the passivating shells, which invariably follows the assembly of C sheets enveloping and compressing multiple closely spaced Au/C nanoparticles.
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