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Abstract
All nanostructures are metastable – but some are more metastable than others. Here we employ aberration-corrected electron microscopy and atomistic computer simulations to demonstrate the hierarchy of metastability in deposited, size-selected gold nanoparticles (clusters), an archetypal class of nanomaterials well known for the catalytic activity which only appears on the nanometer-scale. We show that the atomic structures presented by “magic number” Au561, Au742 and Au923 clusters are “locked”. They are in fact determined by the solidification which occurs from the liquid state early in their growth (by assembly from atoms in the gas phase) followed by template growth. It is quite likely that transitions from a locked, metastable configuration to a more stable (but still metastable) structure, as observed here under the electron beam, will occur during catalytic reactions, for example.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 6498-6503 |
Journal | Nanoscale |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 15 |
Early online date | 29 Jan 2015 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 21 Apr 2015 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Metastability of the atomic structures of size-selected gold nanoparticles'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 1 Finished
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Establish Career Fellowship Professor Richard Palmer - Super-Abundant Size-Selected Cluister Technology for Nanoscale Design of Functional Materials
Palmer, R. (Principal Investigator)
Engineering & Physical Science Research Council
1/01/13 → 28/02/17
Project: Research