Proceedings of MATSUS23 & Sustainable Technology Forum València (STECH23) (MATSUS23)
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2023.203
Publication date: 22nd December 2022
Electron tomography enables one to measure the morphology and composition of nanostructures in three dimensions (3D), even at atomic resolution. However, an emerging challenge is to fully understand the connection between the 3D structure and properties under realistic conditions, including high temperatures as well as in the presence of liquids and gases. Our recent experiments demonstrate the progress that can be obtained by accelerating both the acquisition and reconstruction during electron tomography [1,2]. In this manner, we were able to perform a dynamic characterisation of shape transformations of metal nanoparticles at high temperatures [1,3]. Moreover, we measured the elemental diffusion dynamics of individual anisotropic bimetallic nanoparticles in 3D and determined the effect of parameters such as type of interfacial facets, aspect ratio, shape and presence of defects [4]. Finally, by combining aberration corrected electron microscopy with a quantitative interpretation, we can provide quantitative measurements of the coordination numbers of the surface atoms of catalytic nanoparticles at high temperatures and in gaseous environments [5].