Issue 126, 2015

Real-time imaging of lead nanoparticles in solution – determination of the growth mechanism

Abstract

In situ electron microscopy is a tool which offers great promise for studying the mechanisms responsible for nanoparticle growth. In aqueous solution, the reduction of Pb2+ by the electron beam results in the formation of lead nanoparticles. Here, we directly examined the fundamental processes that influence the growth of lead nanoparticles in solution using in situ transmission electron microscopy. Lead nanoparticle growth was directly monitored at the molecular level and followed the sequence of nucleation, Ostwald ripening, and aggregative growth. The aggregative growth phase resulted in macrostructures having micron-sized dimensions. Importantly, when combined with quantitative measurements, our direct imaging results suggested that the growth properties observed for lead nanoparticles were unique in comparison to other metallic entities.

Graphical abstract: Real-time imaging of lead nanoparticles in solution – determination of the growth mechanism

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Communication
Submitted
04 Sep 2015
Accepted
02 Dec 2015
First published
10 Dec 2015

RSC Adv., 2015,5, 104193-104197

Real-time imaging of lead nanoparticles in solution – determination of the growth mechanism

Diana. L. Delach, M. J. Dukes, A. C. Varano, D. F. Kelly and A. D. Dukes III, RSC Adv., 2015, 5, 104193 DOI: 10.1039/C5RA18054F

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements