Using two-phase (water–toluene) reduction of AuCl4– by sodium borohydride in the presence of an alkanethiol, solutions of 1–3 nm gold particles bearing a surface coating of thiol have been prepared and characterised; this novel material can be handled as a simple chemical compound.

Synthesis of thiol-derivatised gold nanoparticles in a two-phase liquid-liquid system

Data on the experimental structure of small particles is reviewed, the emphasis being an attempt to correlate experimental information with theoretical models. First, a general discussion of some of the controlling factors is presented, primarily equilibrium shapes of small particles, the effect of surface stresses, kinetics, and the role of chemisorption and the substrate. Experimental techniques for obtaining information about small particles are then described, primarily electron microscopy approaches. Experimental data on the static structure of small particles is then reviewed, both single crystals and the many, complicated twinned structures in face-centred cubic materials. An overview is then given of some of the more recent results on dynamic phenomena in small particles. Finally, a general model merging thermodynamic and kinetic factors is presented to attempt to rationalize the available data, followed by a brief discussion.

Experimental studies of small particle structures

A theory is developed which allows one to discuss the stability of multiply-twinned particles and to calculate critical sizes for stable and quasi-stable states. An icosahedral particle is essentially stable for r ≦ r i w * , quasi-stable for r i w * r i t 0 where r is an edge length of the particle, while a decahedral particle is not essentially stable but quasi-stable for r ≦ r d t 0 and unstable for r > r d t 0 . The critical sizes r i w * , r i t 0 and r d t 0 are formulated as functions of the specific surface energy γ h k l , the twin boundary energy γ t , the elastic strain energy W and the adhesive energy γ a to the substrate. Calculated critical diameters 2 r i w * ,2 r i t 0 and 2 r d t 0 for the particles grown in free space for several elements range between 15.5A and 106.8A, between 109.8A and 486.1A and between 725A and 3961A, respectively. These values are in good agreement with experimental results.

Stability of Multiply-Twinned Particles

Concepts for the design of advanced nanoscale PVD multilayer protective thin films

Sputter deposition of transition-metal carbide films - A critical review from a chemical perspective

Atomic resolution imaging of cluster structures has been performed with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Metal particles of the sizes 1 nanometer to tens of nanometers have been surface profile imaged on different supports; like zeolites, cordierite and amorphous carbon. It is shown that organic ligands in Schmid-clusters coordinated to the metal surface are desorbed or destroyed by the electron beam. Dynamic events on the surfaces and in the bulk of small metal particles have been recorded for small crystals of Au, Pt, Rh and Pb and can be classified under three headings; The smaller the crystals are the faster rearrangements of the crystal structure; “clouds” of atoms existing outside some surfaces are involved in extensive structural rearrangements of the surface or crystal surface growth; localized atom hopping on surfaces during crystal growth and desorption also occurs.

Atomic resolution electron microscopy of small metal clusters

Quantum wire structures of GaAs/AlGaAs have been grown by metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy in V grooves using pre‐etched corrugated substrates and have been characterized by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy. Low‐temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) identifies luminescence peaks with the spatial distributions of the different recombinations, achieving a top view spatial resolution of ≊0.2 μm in the CL images. Principally we report how a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) induces local luminescence in the sample structure, and we spectrally resolve STM‐induced luminescence for the tip in different positions relative to the wires. We have recorded the luminescence from a single wire and observed band‐filling effects resulting from varying levels of excitation into a wire. We have demonstrated the difference between recombination of electron‐hole pairs generated in CL and the recombination of injected holes from the STM tip with a thermalized distribution of accumulated electrons in scanning tunneling luminescence.

Scanning tunneling microscope and electron beam induced luminescence in quantum wires

Thin films of TiC, VC, and NbC have been deposited on MgO(001) by coevaporation of the metals and C-60 It was found that these metals induced a decomposition of the C-60 molecule and that carbide f ...

J. O. Malm

Papers

Atomic resolution electron microscopy of small metal clusters

Scanning tunneling microscope and electron beam induced luminescence in quantum wires

Scanning tunneling microscope and electron beam induced luminescence in quantum wires

Deposition of transition metal carbides and superlattices using C-60 as carbon source

MOVPE overgrowth of metallic features for realisation of 3D metal semiconductor quantum devices