In situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy of photocatalytic reactions by excited electrons in ionic liquid.
A transmission electron microscope (TEM) sample for observing photocatalysis in a liquid was prepared by using N,N,N-trimetyl-N-propylammonium-bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide. The ionic liquid (IL) was used as a reaction solvent. Tetrachloroauric acid was dissolved in the IL as gold ion species. Rutile particles were added in the solution as a photocatalyst. The low vapor pressure of the IL enables a diffusing system in high vacuum of TEM. Rutile particles were UV irradiated in that liquid phase. After 3 h UV irradiation, a gold particle of 8 nm diameter was grown on the TiO2 surface. Photonucleation of Au/TiO2 system was discussed from the high-resolution TEM images.
Yoshida
Kenta
K
Nozaki
Tsutomu
T
Hirayama
Tsukasa
T
Tanaka
Nobuo
N
D002384:Catalysis; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D052578:Ionic Liquids / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission / Q000379:methods*; D010777:Photochemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D052578:Ionic Liquids; D006046:Gold