title: Characterization of individual ag nanoparticles and their chemical environment.
abstract: Silver nanoparticles (NPs) of approximately 5 nm diameter deposited in a single layer on glycine were examined with cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in the event-by-event bombardment-detection mode. The projectiles used were Au(3)(+), C(60)(+), and Au(400)(4+) with impact energies of 34, 26, and 136 keV, respectively. The highest secondary ion yields were obtained with Au(400)(4+). The method presented can test single or multilayer organization and determine surface coverage. NPs are identified one-by-one for chemical composition. Chemical and physical information in a nonimaging mode was resolved at approximately 10 nm. Grazing vs direct impacts on NPs were identified and quantified. NP fragmentation from direct impacts with Au(400)(4+) and C(60)(+) was observed for the first time.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77842-3012, USA.
authors.forename: Sidhartharaja
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rajagopalachary
authors.forename: Stanislav V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Verkhoturov
authors.forename: Emile A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Schweikert