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Energy Dispersive X-ray Tomography for 3D Elemental Mapping of Individual Nanoparticles
Published on: July 5, 2016
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Real-time imaging and elemental mapping of AgAu nanoparticle transformations
E A Lewis1, T J A Slater, E Prestat
1School of Materials, The University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. Sarah.Haigh@mancester.ac.uk.
Nanoscale
|October 2, 2014
Summary
Researchers precisely controlled silver-gold (AgAu) nanoparticle transformations using electron microscopy. They observed real-time atomic-level changes, revealing new insights into nanoparticle oxidation and alloying processes.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- Understanding nanoparticle transformations is crucial for developing advanced materials.
- Controlled manipulation of bimetallic nanoparticles (AgAu) remains a significant challenge.
- In situ microscopy offers unique insights into dynamic nanoscale processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate controlled alloying, oxidation, and reduction of individual AgAu nanoparticles.
- To visualize real-time morphological and compositional changes at atomic resolution.
- To investigate oxidation-driven shell growth and hollowing mechanisms in nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Utilized scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) for high-resolution imaging.
- Employed electron beam-induced oxidation and in situ heating/quenching.
- Combined aberration-corrected STEM with energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy for elemental mapping.
Main Results:
- Successfully transformed Ag-Au core-shell nanoparticles into alloyed, core-shell, hollow core-shell, and yolk-shell structures.
- Directly imaged morphological transformations in real-time with atomic resolution.
- Quantified Kirkendall void growth and compositional changes during oxidation with sub-nanometre resolution.
Conclusions:
- Achieved unprecedented control over individual AgAu nanoparticle structural evolution.
- Provided the first real-time tracking of elemental distribution changes during nanoparticle oxidation.
- Established a new methodology for studying dynamic nanoscale reactions.
