Structure and melting of small metal particles observed by stem microdiffraction

The structure of solvent deposited (Au, Au-Ag, Pt) and vapor deposited (Cu) metal particles $\approx$10-40 A A was studied by electron microdiffraction in a STEM. A CCD array recorded the microdiffraction patterns with high sensitivity and dynamic range, and low noise Microdiffraction patterns were classified according to whether they had distinct Bragg peaks, or were diffuse. Patterns with distinct Bragg peaks showed low rates of twinning, with an upper bound of $\approx$14 $\pm$ 3% in the case of Au-Ag particles. Diffuse patterns indicate that many of the particles are highly disordered, $\approx$88% in the case of Au particles. The effects of the electron beam on Pt particles were studied further. Crystalline Pt particles up to 40A in diameter become disordered after exposures ranging from less than a second up to 40 minutes. Disordered particles' diffraction patterns were dynamic, with flickers of intensity lasting $\approx$15 msec (the resolution of the video tape). Pt particles on an amorphous C substrate remained disordered $\approx$20 min before recrystallizing. The dynamic nature and persistance of the disordered state are reminiscent of Ajayan and Marks's quasimelting theory.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Physics

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Contrata, Walter

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mochel, J.M.

• Physics, Molecular
• Physics, Condensed Matter

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1992 Contrata, Walter

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9215799
(UMI)AAI9215799

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/22606