Structural analysis of single nanoparticles in liquid by low-dose STEM nanodiffraction. (January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Khelfa, Abdelali; Byun, Caroline; Nelayah, Jaysen; Wang, Guillaume; Ricolleau, Christian; Alloyeau, Damien
• Is Part Of: Micron. Volume 116(2019)
• Page Start: 30
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2019-01
• Subjects: STEM nanodiffraction -- Liquid-cell TEM -- Atomic structure -- Low dose -- Nanoparticle rotation; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Electron Probe Microanalysis -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopie -- Périodiques; Microscopy; Periodicals; 502.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2018.09.008
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-4328

Abstract

Highlights: First use of STEM nanodiffraction for the structural analysis of single nano-objects in liquid. Advantages and drawbacks with respect to HRTEM analyses. An unprecedented possibility to reveal the structure of nanomaterials in liquid with very low electron dose. The rotation of gold nanocrystals in liquid is shape-dependant. Abstract: Liquid-cell TEM has enabled an interdisciplinary community of scientists to carry out atomic- / nano-scale studies of solid/liquid interfaces. Nevertheless, the restricted resolution of TEM in liquid media and the necessity to reduce the electron dose to avoid harmful radiolytic effects induced by the beam have limited the use of high resolution imaging to study the atomic structure of nanomaterials in liquid. Here we show that STEM nanodiffraction can be exploited in liquid-cell TEM experiments to overcome these two limitations. We evidence that this technique allows quick analysis of the structure of single gold nanoparticles whatever their zone axis orientation, which substantially increases the percentage of analysable nanostructures with respect to HRTEM investigations. Moreover, STEM nanodiffraction can also be used in very low dose conditions. The electron dose irradiating the analyzed nanostructures during data acquisition can be reduced by almost four orders of magnitude compared to conventional HRTEM analysis. Finally, dynamical analyses in reciprocal space are used to provide new insights into the shape-dependent rotation of nanocrystals in the liquid-cell.