Abstract
The dynamic behavior of octahedral gold nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoparticle clusters (NPCs) in aqueous solution is studied by in-situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The octahedral Au NPs/NPCs show preferential orientations in the liquid cell, due to the interaction with the SiNx window. The Au NPs show long-range reversible hopping and three-dimensional (3D) rotational motions in the liquid environment. At the same time, the Au NPCs and NPs perform slow stick-slip and stick-roll motions, respectively, with a centripetal trend. The centripetal motions were explained by a liquid evaporation-induced radial flow model, in which the NPCs/NPs trajectories are controlled by Stokes forces and surface friction by the silicon nitride window. The calculated radius-dependent force (Fc) on the NPCs/NPs shows a semi-linear correlation with the distance r between the NPCs/NPs and the center of mass, accompanied with stochastic fluctuations, in agreement with the model predictions. This work thus demonstrates the effectiveness of in situ liquid-cell TEM for the in-depth understanding of complicated liquid flow and force interactions in nanomaterials.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
