title: Three-dimensional chemical imaging of embedded nanoparticles using atom probe tomography.
abstract: Analysis of nanoparticles is often challenging especially when they are embedded in a matrix. Hence, we have used laser-assisted atom probe tomography (APT) to analyze the Au nanoclusters synthesized in situ using ion-beam implantation in a single crystal MgO matrix. APT analysis along with scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy (STEM-EDX) indicated that the nanoparticles have an average size ~8-12 nm. While it is difficult to analyze the composition of individual nanoparticles using STEM, APT analysis can give three-dimensional compositions of the same. It was shown that the maximum Au concentration in the nanoparticles increases with increasing particle size, with a maximum Au concentration of up to 50%.
authors.affiliation: EMSL, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA. satya.kuchibhatla@battelle-india.com
authors.forename: Satyanarayana V N T
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Kuchibhatla
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shutthanandan
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Prosa
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Adusumilli
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arey
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Buxbaum
authors.forename: Y C
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tessner
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ulfig
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Thevuthasan
mesh_terms: D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing / Q000379:methods; D020527:Microscopy, Scanning Probe / Q000379:methods*; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D015336:Molecular Probe Techniques; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D014054:Tomography / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D006046:Gold