Investigating Processes of Nanocrystal Formation and Transformation via Liquid Cell TEM

Journal Article · Fri Mar 14 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Microscopy and Microanalysis, 20(02):425-436

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1017/S1431927614000294· OSTI ID:1176840

Nielsen, Michael H.; Li, Dongsheng; Zhang, Hengzon; Aloni, S.; Han, Yong J.; Frandsen, Cathrine; Seto, Jong M.; Banfield, Jillian F.; Colfen, Helmut; De Yoreo, James J.

Recent ex situ observations of crystallization in both natural and synthetic systems indicate that the classical models of nucleation and growth are inaccurate. However, in situ observations that can provide direct evidence for alternative models have been lacking due to the limited temporal and spatial resolution of experimental techniques that can observe dynamic processes in a bulk solution. Here we report results from liquid cell transmission electron microscopy studies of nucleation and growth of Au, CaCO3, and iron oxide nanoparticles. We show how these in situ data can be used to obtain direct evidence for the mechanisms underlying nanoparticle crystallization as well as dynamic information that provide constraints on important energetic parameters not available through ex situ methods.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 1176840
• Report Number(s): PNNL-SA-106808
• Journal Information: Microscopy and Microanalysis, 20(02):425-436, Journal Name: Microscopy and Microanalysis, 20(02):425-436
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English