Benjamin R.
Knappett
a,
Pavel
Abdulkin
a,
Emilie
Ringe
b,
David A.
Jefferson
a,
Sergio
Lozano-Perez
*c,
T. Cristina
Rojas
d,
Asunción
Fernández
*d and
Andrew E. H.
Wheatley
*a
aDepartment of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, CB2 1EW, UK. E-mail: aehw2@cam.ac.uk
bDepartment of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge, CB2 3QZ, UK
cDepartment of Materials, University of Oxford, Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3PH, UK. E-mail: sergio.lozano-perez@materials.ox.ac.uk
dInstituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Sevilla (ICMS), CSIC–Univ. Sevilla, Américo Vespucio 49, Isla de la Cartuja, 41092-Sevilla, Spain. E-mail: asuncion@icmse.csic.es
First published on 20th February 2013
Cobalt nanoparticles were synthesised via the thermal decomposition of Co2(CO)8 and were coated in iron oxide using Fe(CO)5. While previous work focused on the subsequent thermal alloying of these nanoparticles, this study fully elucidates their composition and core@shell structure. State-of-the-art electron microscopy and statistical data processing enabled chemical mapping of individual particles through the acquisition of energy-filtered transmission electron microscopy (EFTEM) images and detailed electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analysis. Multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) has been used to greatly improve the quality of elemental mapping data from core@shell nanoparticles. Results from a combination of spatially resolved microanalysis reveal the shell as Fe3O4 and show that the core is composed of oxidatively stable metallic Co. For the first time, a region of lower atom density between the particle core and shell has been observed and identified as a trapped carbon residue attributable to the organic capping agents present in the initial Co nanoparticle synthesis.
Core@shell structures are often proposed in the catalysis literature, albeit evidence of successful synthesis is commonly based on bulk analysis techniques or on the increase in mean size between the pre-formed seed (core) NPs and the coated product. Whilst such results clearly indicate a change in the nature of the sample, they typically offer limited evidence regarding the structure and composition of a core@shell NP. Moreover, bulk methods can rarely differentiate between coating, heat-induced coalescence and alloying.16 Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), a prevalent bulk technique, can provide some information about the average crystallite size and composition.17 However, it remains difficult to extract NP size due to their polycrystallinity and the strong background caused by capping ligands.18 The applicability of PXRD to these systems is also restricted by the limited spatial and structural information it provides; indeed, it remains difficult to differentiate between various NP structures (Fig. 1) without sophisticated modelling of the fine structure of the pattern,19 which is often blurred by broadening.20
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Fig. 1 Diagrammatic representations of bimetallic 1D nano-materials with (a) core@shell; (b) fused; (c) segregated and (d) random alloy structures. |
A consequence of the limitations of X-ray diffraction and other bulk characterisation techniques is that in order to identify the true structure of individual particles one must rely on more sophisticated approaches such as spatially resolved micro-analytical methods. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provides such a spatially resolved analysis platform ideally suited to the characterisation of multi-layered nanostructures. Bright field TEM and high resolution TEM (HRTEM) can be used to discern different compositions based on lattice fringes and contrast variations.21,22 Dark field imaging techniques such as high angle annular dark field (HAADF) are also extremely instructive in this latter respect, since image formation now occurs using predominantly Rutherford scattered electrons, rather than the predominantly Bragg scattered electrons of bright field imaging.23,24 The much greater susceptibility of Rutherford scattered electrons to differences in atomic number, Z, of the scattering atoms has resulted in dark field scanning TEM often being referred to as Z-contrast TEM.25 Scanning TEM (STEM) can thus be used to create dark field images in which the contrast ratios are proportional to the Z number of atoms in the material generating the signal.23 Crucially for the elucidation of single particle composition, STEM also allows for spatially resolved energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS)26–29 using a sub-nanometre probe size, providing elemental line scans or maps of individual particles.30
Another form of microanalysis, energy-filtered TEM (EFTEM), involves the selection of electrons with a particular energy loss to form images. By selecting the energy corresponding to core losses for particular elements, images can be created almost exclusively with electrons scattered by that particular element. By taking multiple images corresponding to signals from different elements, composite maps can be created revealing the prevalence of multiple elements. Langlois et al. recently used this technique to analyse Cu@Ag core@shell particles.31
Generally the resolution limit of EFTEM is approximately 1 nm,32 although in the case of NPs, it is greatly compromised by the low signal (and therefore high noise) in the elemental images. To circumvent this major drawback, we have implemented a mathematical algorithm based on Multivariate Statistical Analysis (MSA) to refine analytical data (EDS and EELS line profiles as well as EFTEM images) by separating any meaningful information from statistical noise. This allows for data reconstruction with a significantly reduced noise signal.33 Used in conjunction, these experimental and data analysis techniques allow for a thorough characterisation of nanosized particles.
The current study explores the oxidative stability of cobalt on the nanoscale as well as the composition of its iron oxide outer shell. Co NPs are not oxidatively stable with respect to the antiferromagnetic CoO phase, so if magnetism is to be retained they require protection, either by organic material34 or by a more permanent layer of inorganic material such as iron oxide. A Co/Fe system was previously synthesised by Sun et al., however their interest focussed on the magnetic properties of the particles after thermal annealing, which resulted in the formation of a controlled, stoichiometric CoFe alloy.1,35 The current work explores in detail the composition and structure of the core@shell particles attained prior to annealing by using a combination of cutting-edge electron microscopy, microanalysis, and statistical analysis techniques.
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Fig. 2 (a and b) TEM images in bright field imaging mode of monodisperse 14 nm Co@Fe3O4 NPs, along with (c) the particle size distribution of the core@shell particles (N = 100). |
An FEI Tecnai F20 with a 200 keV FEG was used in STEM mode to acquire the experimental EELS data from Fig. 9 and 11. This microscope was equipped with a GIF 200 and a Fischione model 3000 HAADF detector for high-resolution Z-contrast imaging. The Si3N4 grids used with this microscope had a 10 nm thick Si3N4 membrane (supplied by TEMWindows).
The EELS of reference materials are displayed in Fig. 9 and were measured with a PEELS spectrometer (Gatan mod766-2K) coupled to a Philips CM200 TEM microscope. All the spectra were corrected for dark current and channel-to-channel gain variation. A low-loss spectrum was also recorded with each edge in the same illuminated area and using the same experimental conditions. After subtraction of the background with a standard power law function, the spectra were de-convoluted for plural scattering with the Fourier-ratio method. All these treatments were performed within the EL/P program (Gatan).
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Fig. 3 HRTEM images showing fringes in the core and shell of a particle. The image in (a) highlights the 2.16 Å d-spacing of the (220) reflection of metallic Co in the core37 and the 2.51 Å d-spacing of the (311) reflection of Fe3O4 in the shell,38 whilst that in (b) shows the ‘petal-like’ structure of the shell caused by multiple nucleation sites. Additional HRTEM images can be found in the ESI.† |
The HRTEM images clearly show the presence of a lower contrast shell surrounding a darker core. Lattice fringes are present in both regions, suggesting the existence of a crystalline core@shell structure as previously pointed out by Sun et al.,35 rather than a coating of solely organic residues from the synthesis. Fringes of 2.16 Å and 2.51 Å were observed in the core and shell, respectively, corresponding well to the Co (220) and the Fe3O4 (311) lattice spacings (Fig. 3). A large number of ∼2 nm particles of light contrast with lattice fringes consistent with Fe3O4 (see ESI†) are also present. Their formation is attributed to the use of excess Fe(CO)5, yielding discrete iron oxide particles in addition to shells. The larger core@shell particles are readily distinguishable from these particles (Fig. 2b). No uncoated cores were observed, suggesting a successful and complete coating was achieved.
Interestingly, high magnification images also show a lighter region between the core and shell of individual NPs (Fig. 3a and b). This region is consistently devoid of fringes, suggesting a non-crystalline substance potentially derived from the surfactants used to stabilise the Co seeds. The outer iron oxide shell has evidently formed around this layer, encapsulating it within the particle. The novelty of this observation prompted us to further analyse this layer with elemental analysis techniques (vide infra).
In addition to real-space fringe spacing analysis, we acquired selected area electron diffraction (SAED) from a large region containing NPs, an example of which is shown in Fig. 4. The rings present in the pattern reveal the lattice spacing in the polycrystalline sample; the experimental values of 3.01, 2.56, 2.11, 1.71 and 1.51 Å correspond with the Fe3O4 (220), Fe3O4 (311), Fe3O4 (400)/Co (220), Fe3O4 (511), and Fe3O4 (440) reflections. The spacing expected for Co (220) is 2.16 Å, thus the signal for this is likely obscured by the (400) reflection from the excess of Fe3O4 present. Similarly, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of images of individual NPs such as the one in Fig. 4 (which match the SAED in diameter to within 4% error) show prominent reflections for lattice spacings of 2.54, 2.10 and 1.47 Å, corresponding to the Fe3O4 (311), Co (200)/Fe3O4 (400), and Fe3O4 (440) spacings. Based on this analysis, it can be concluded that the Co is present in a metallic, non-oxidized form. However, while the lattice fringe analysis rules out the presence of α-Fe2O3 on the basis of its different lattice parameters, HRTEM alone is not sufficient to fully distinguish between the two spinel structures of iron oxide (Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3). This distinction will be discussed later, supported by EELS data.
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Fig. 4 (a) SAED image of a sample region containing multiple core@shell NPs, shown alongside a TEM image of an individual NP (b) with corresponding FFT (c). |
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Fig. 5 EFTEM images of Co@Fe3O4 core@shell particles. (a) Bright field TEM image and (b) an overlay of Co (green), Fe (pink) and O (blue) compositional maps. An EDS map showing similar evidence can be found in the ESI.† |
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Fig. 6 EFTEM images of Co@Fe3O4 core@shell particles, both before (a–c) and after (d–f) MSA. (a and d) EFTEM Fe L2,3 map; (b and e) EFTEM Co L2,3 map; (c and f) an overlay of Co and Fe maps, with Co in green and Fe in blue. |
Another way to obtain spatially resolved chemical information about complex nanostructures is by obtaining a full energy loss spectrum from a series of points across the particle in a STEM configuration, which allows the extraction of linear compositional variation. Note that in such a configuration, images are obtained from a HAADF detector, which provides density-based contrast, the cores appearing bright due to their higher scattering probability. STEM-EELS is in fact ideal for observing Fe, Co and O as their core losses lie within 500 eV of one another, allowing for high resolution simultaneous acquisition. As can be seen in Fig. 7, the line profile for Co L2,3 shows a strong peak corresponding to the position of the bright particle core, whilst the spectra on either side of the core are dominated by Fe L2,3 and O K edges. Care was taken to minimize beam damage (see experimental section); images showing only minor damage to the NP after the scan are reported in Fig. 7 and 8.
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Fig. 7 An EELS line scan of a core@shell particle. (a) STEM HAADF image showing the square region (yellow box) selected for spatial drift correction, and position of the line scan (green line); (b) acquisition region post-scan; and (c) graph showing the EELS signal intensity after MSA for Co, Fe and O across the diameter of the particle. |
To confirm and further investigate the elemental distribution in individual NPs, STEM-based EDS was used to obtain line scans (an example of which is presented in Fig. 8) as well as area scans (reported in the ESI†). The presence of Co, Fe, and O was confirmed. Due to the minute amount of material illuminated by the probe (and resulting low X-ray emission probability40) the EDS signal intensity was very low; whilst the signal could be improved by increasing the beam current or acquisition time, either would risk damaging the sample. Reduced signal strength was tolerated in order to minimise damage, and was compensated for by the final MSA processing, allowing for a more meaningful interpretation of the data. Clearly, as can be seen in Fig. 8, minimal damage was inflicted, while conclusive results could be extracted. Indeed, the EDS line scan data clearly confirms that the centre of the NP contains mostly Co surrounded by a shell of Fe and O. While EDS is not as sensitive to O as EELS, it provides strong concurrent evidence for the NP structure.
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Fig. 8 An EDS line scan of a core@shell particle. (a) STEM HAADF image showing the region selected for drift correction (yellow box), and position of the line scan (green line); (b) the acquisition region post-scan, showing that some minor damage has occurred; and (c) graph showing the EDS signal intensity for Co, Fe and O across the diameter of the particle. |
Regarding the iron oxide, the diffraction and lattice fringe analysis discussed above suggested the absence of α-Fe2O3, but could not clearly differentiate between the spinel structures of Fe3O4 and γ-Fe2O3. In this respect, EELS coupled with statistical analysis can provide additional information. Firstly, EELS analysis of 95 single particles further rules out the presence of α-Fe2O3. Indeed, as can be seen in Fig. 9, the Fe L3–L2 shift of the α-phase is much larger (15.8 eV) than the 12.5(3) eV observed. This experimental L3–L2 energy difference also suggests the presence of Fe3O4 (12.7 eV) rather than γ-Fe2O3 (12.9 eV). Furthermore, the Fe–Co difference of 71.0(3) eV can only be attributed to the Fe3O4 phase, as the expected value for γ-Fe2O3 (70.2) is significantly different.
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Fig. 9 EELS of the iron L2,3 edge, averaged over 95 point scans of the core and shell regions of the NPs, compared to the EELS of reference materials for each of Fe3O4, γ-Fe2O3 and α-Fe2O3 (99%, Sigma). |
Having confirmed the composition of both core (Co) and shell (Fe3O4), we became interested in the oxidative stability of the NPs. Indeed, it is desirable for applications that the Co core remains metallic and does not oxidize to the antiferromagnetic CoO phase. To study oxidation (and the presence of carbon between the layers as will be seen later), NPs deposited on thin Si3N4 membranes were submitted to the strongly oxidizing conditions of an oxygen–argon plasma for 15 minutes and analysed with EELS. No change in composition of either the core or the shell was observed from the spectra of 41 NPs; suggesting that the iron oxide coating effectively stabilises the Co core with respect to oxidation.
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Fig. 10 An EELS line scan of a core@shell particle. (a) STEM HAADF image showing the square region selected for spatial drift correction, and position of the line scan; (b) acquisition region post-scan, with some particle damage observable; and (c) graph showing the EELS signal intensity after MSA for Fe, O and C across the diameter of the particle. |
Fig. 10 reveals the presence of carbon within the NP, with a strong signal through the core region. The high carbon region is also clearly contained between the Fe and O maxima attributable to the iron oxide shell, within which it drops sharply to background levels. This scan shows for the first time evidence of a carbon based layer between the core and shell of Co@Fe3O4 particles. It should be noted that this line scan was carried out using a carbon-based grid, however the scan was intentionally positioned to span a region several nanometres beyond boundaries of the core@shell NP, showing the intensity of the background signal generated by the carbon film to be an order of magnitude lower than that observed in the particle core.
To further study the presence of carbon within the shell, particles were deposited on a carbon-free Si3N4 membrane. STEM-EELS analysis revealed the presence of carbon in the core@shell NPs. To rule out the possibility of carbon contamination at the surface of the Fe3O4 shell and provide strong evidence of its presence within the particle, a sample supported on a Si3N4 membrane was plasma-cleaned in an argon–oxygen mixture for 15 minutes. Plasma cleaning indeed removes any carbonaceous material that may be present on the surface of the NPs. STEM-EELS point scans of over 50 NPs revealed the presence of carbon at the interface between Co and Fe3O4, while no carbon signal could be detected on the Si3N4 membrane (Fig. 11). This information, in addition to the line scan presented in Fig. 10, provides clear evidence for the presence of a trapped carbon-based layer within the core@shell NPs, a novel finding made possible by the use of advanced TEM-based microanalysis. The presence of this layer could favour the growth of Fe3O4 on Co by lowering the epitaxial constraints at the interface, effectively acting as a buffer layer; a concept which could give rise to new synthetic approaches.
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Fig. 11 EELS point spectra (from a plasma cleaned sample) of the Si3N4 thin film coating the microscope grid (blue spot and line) and of the interface of the core and shell of a core@shell particle (red). It can be clearly seen that carbon is present within the particle despite plasma cleaning. |
Interestingly, the oxide shell appears to be separated from the core by a non-crystalline carbon layer, which we propose to be composed of trapped oleic acid residues present from the initial synthesis of the seed particles. This is identifiable by the difference in contrast in HRTEM images, and is well evidenced by the detection of carbon within the particles by EELS line scans and also EELS point spectra of the particles on a plasma cleaned, carbon-free support membrane.
Analysis of a large number of NPs after a period of months showed that the particle cores had not oxidised, and even remained as metallic Co after being subjected to an oxygen plasma. It can therefore be concluded that the Fe3O4 provides a suitable barrier to core oxidation, allowing the particles to retain their magnetic properties during storage and potential catalytic applications.
Having demonstrated the ability of the combination of techniques described here to probe individual NP structure and stability in detail, unravelling novel information about their composition, we now seek to characterise further examples of core@shell particles.
Footnote |
† Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Further HRTEM images, EDS, EELS and EDS line scans, EFTEM and eigenvectors for MSA analysis. See DOI: 10.1039/c3nr33789h |
This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2013 |