Lattice shear and non-random rotation of Au nanoparticles under electron-beam irradiation. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lee, Sung Bo; Kang, Sung-Gyu; Jung, Jinwook; Sung, Simoon; Yoo, Seung Jo; Han, Heung Nam
• Is Part Of: Acta materialia. Volume 241(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Au -- Nanoparticle structure -- Electron-beam irradiation -- In situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) -- Computer simulations; Materials -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; Materials -- Mechanical properties -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Inorganic -- Periodicals; 620.112
• DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2022.118387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1359-6454

Abstract

Abstract: Structural evolution of Au nanoparticles on amorphous carbon under electron-beam irradiation was examined at the atomic scale through in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Under electron-beam irradiation, some nanoparticles underwent lattice shear and fluctuation. The d-spacing and interplanar angle constantly and gradually changed, revealing metastable structures deviating from face-centered cubic Au. Rather than undergoing lattice fluctuation, some nanoparticles rotated. The nanoparticles did not rotate randomly, but followed a rule. As a nanoparticle rotated, one family of lattice planes constituting an initial zone axis remained parallel to the incident electron beam. Although the structural change and motion of nanoparticles under electron-beam irradiation have been examined in the literature, the aforementioned atomistic behavior has never been unveiled. We relate the phenomena to electron-beam-induced heating caused by inelastic collision between incident electrons and atomic electrons and momentum transfer during electron irradiation. Graphical abstract: Image, graphical abstract