Issue 33, 2024

Insights into the nucleation and growth of BiOCl nanoparticles by in situ X-ray pair distribution function analysis and in situ liquid cell TEM

Abstract

The synthesis of bismuth oxyhalides as defined nanostructures is hindered by their fast nucleation and growth in aqueous solutions. Using our recently developed single-source precursor, the formation of bismuth oxychloride in such solutions can be slowed significantly. As reported herein, this advance enables BiOCl formation to be investigated by in situ X-ray total scattering and in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy. In situ pair distribution function analysis of X-ray total scattering data reveals the local order of atomic structures throughout the synthesis, while in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscopy allows for tracking the growth of individual nanoparticles. Through this work, the precursor complex is shown to give rise to BiOCl upon heating in solution without the observation of structurally distinct intermediates. The emerging nanoparticles have a widened interlayer spacing, which moderately decreases as the particles grow. Mechanistic insights into the formation of bismuth oxyhalide nanoparticles, including the absence of distinct intermediates within the available time resolution, will help facilitate future design of controlled BiOX nanostructures.

Graphical abstract: Insights into the nucleation and growth of BiOCl nanoparticles by in situ X-ray pair distribution function analysis and in situ liquid cell TEM

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 4 2024
Accepted
09 7 2024
First published
19 7 2024
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Nanoscale, 2024,16, 15544-15557

Insights into the nucleation and growth of BiOCl nanoparticles by in situ X-ray pair distribution function analysis and in situ liquid cell TEM

M. N. Gordon, L. S. Junkers, J. S. Googasian, J. K. Mathiesen, X. Zhan, D. G. Morgan, K. M. Ø. Jensen and S. E. Skrabalak, Nanoscale, 2024, 16, 15544 DOI: 10.1039/D4NR01749H

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