Observation of surface atoms during platinum nanocrystal growth by monomer attachment

Abstract

Surface atoms were observed during Pt nanocrystal growth by attachments of monomers using in situ graphene liquid cell electron microscopy (GLC-EM). First, GLC encapsulating dilute Pt precursors were fabricated, which increase the diffusion length of monomers arriving at the nanocrystal surfaces and slow the atomic diffusion time following Fick's law. Two intact graphene sheets are bonded via van der Waals attraction where the Pt growth solution were removed and the remaining solution is entrapped and protected against evaporation of solution in the TEM with high vacuum. These facets are formed through the ledge-by-ledge growth. During ledge growth, stacking faults can be formed but are annealed with nanocrystal growth. After growth, imperfect {100} or {111} ledges are stabilized during structural relaxation