Investigating processes of nanocrystal formation and transformation via liquid cell TEM

Michael H. Nielsen, Dongsheng Li, Hengzhong Zhang, Shaul Aloni, T. Yong Jin Han, Cathrine Frandsen, Jong Seto, Jillian F. Banfield, Helmut Cölfen, James J. De Yoreo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

85 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)425-436
Number of pages12
JournalMicroscopy and Microanalysis
Volume20
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • crystal growth
  • liquid cell TEM
  • nucleation
  • oriented attachment

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