title: Atomic structure of quantum gold nanowires: quantification of the lattice strain.
abstract: Theoretical studies exist to compute the atomic arrangement in gold nanowires and the influence on their electronic behavior with decreasing diameter. Experimental studies, e.g., by transmission electron microscopy, on chemically synthesized ultrafine wires are however lacking owing to the unavailability of suitable protocols for sample preparation and the stability of the wires under electron beam irradiation. In this work, we present an atomic scale structural investigation on quantum single crystalline gold nanowires of 2 nm diameter, chemically prepared on a carbon film grid. Using low dose aberration-corrected high resolution (S)TEM, we observe an inhomogeneous strain distribution in the crystal, largely concentrated at the twin boundaries and the surface along with the presence of facets and surface steps leading to a noncircular cross section of the wires. These structural aspects are critical inputs needed to determine their unique electronic character and their potential as a suitable catalyst material. Furthermore, electron-beam-induced structural changes at the atomic scale, having implications on their mechanical behavior and their suitability as interconnects, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp , Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
authors.forename: Paromita
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kundu
authors.forename: Stuart
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Aert
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ravishankar
authors.forename: Gustaaf
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Tendeloo