Volume 241, 2023

Direct observation by high resolution transmission electron microscopy of gold(iii) particle transformation during aging reduction reaction

Abstract

We use a gold nanoparticle synthesis as a model system to study the morphological and compositional changes in gold(III) precursor particles, while reduction is taking place during aging after mechanical activation. Scanning transmission electron microscopy coupled with a high-angle annular dark field detector revealed the nanoscale changes in particle morphology, while electron energy loss spectroscopy mapped the changes in the chemical landscape during the reduction process. Tracking a specific region of interest on the sample grid allowed for comparisons to be made of the same particles across a two day monitoring period. High-angle annular dark field images permitted the visualization of particle size reduction of the gold salt while electron energy loss spectroscopy captured the surprising mobility of the lighter chlorine and sodium ions in a solid matrix during the reduction process. This system offers unique insight into precursor particle reactivity in the solid phase, which is relevant for many mechanochemical and aging-based reactions.

Graphical abstract: Direct observation by high resolution transmission electron microscopy of gold(iii) particle transformation during aging reduction reaction

Associated articles

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
06 มิ.ย. 2565
Accepted
26 ก.ค. 2565
First published
30 ส.ค. 2565

Faraday Discuss., 2023,241, 278-288

Direct observation by high resolution transmission electron microscopy of gold(III) particle transformation during aging reduction reaction

M. Ferguson, A. J. Richard, J. Valdez, B. G. Fiss, H. M. Titi, N. Provatas, T. Friščić and A. Moores, Faraday Discuss., 2023, 241, 278 DOI: 10.1039/D2FD00126H

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