Effectiveness of reducing the influence of CTAB at the surface of metal nanoparticles during in situ heating studies by TEM. (May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: De Meyer, Robin; Albrecht, Wiebke; Bals, Sara
• Is Part Of: Micron. Volume 144(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05
• Subjects: In situ experiments -- Ligands -- Thermal stability -- Transmission electron microscopy -- Electron beam effects -- Sample preparation; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Electron Probe Microanalysis -- Periodicals; Microscopy -- Periodicals; Microscopie -- Périodiques; Microscopy; Periodicals; 502.82
• DOI: 10.1016/j.micron.2021.103036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0968-4328

Abstract

Highlights: In situ heating transmission electron microscopy was used to study Au nanoparticles. Their apparent thermal stability is influenced by the electron beam affecting the ligands. Sample treatments can influence these ligands and thus also the apparent thermal stability. Plasma cleaning can make them more stable, activated carbon can make them less stable. Abstract: In situ TEM is a valuable technique to offer novel insights in the behavior of nanomaterials under various conditions. However, interpretation of in situ experiments is not straightforward since the electron beam can impact the outcome of such measurements. For example, ligands surrounding metal nanoparticles transform into a protective carbon layer upon electron beam irradiation and may impact the apparent thermal stability during in situ heating experiments. In this work, we explore the effect of different treatments typically proposed to remove such ligands. We found that plasma treatment prior to heating experiments for Au nanorods and nanostars increased the apparent thermal stability of the nanoparticles, while an activated carbon treatment resulted in a decrease of the observed thermal stability. Treatment with HCl barely changed the experimental outcome. These results demonstrate the importance of carefully selecting pre-treatments procedures during in situ heating experiments.