Statistical distribution of single atoms and clusters of supported Au catalyst analyzed by global high-resolution HAADF-STEM observation with morphological image-processing operation.
We have developed a quantitative particle size analytical method at the single atomic level employing electron microscopy and image processing for the investigation of supported metal catalysts. In the present study, a supported gold (Au) catalyst containing sub-nano clusters and individual atoms was globally observed by high-resolution high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) using spherical aberration (Cs)-corrected TEM. To fully extract structural information of the Au clusters and individual atoms from the HAADF-STEM images, a morphological image-processing operation was applied. The resulting mean particle size was in good agreement with particle sizes estimated from average information provided by X-ray absorption fine structure analysis. It is demonstrated that the present HAADF-STEM image analysis gives a quantitative particle size distribution measurement of supported Au clusters and individual atoms.
High Voltage Electron Microscope Laboratory, EcoTopia Science Institute, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Nagoya 484-8603, Japan y.yamamoto@esi.nagoya-u.ac.jp ohyama@apchem.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Yuta
Y
Yamamoto
High Voltage Electron Microscope Laboratory, EcoTopia Science Institute, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Nagoya 484-8603, Japan.
Shigeo
S
Arai
Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Nagoya 484-8603, Japan.
Akihiko
A
Esaki
Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Nagoya 484-8603, Japan Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts & Batteries, ESICB, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan y.yamamoto@esi.nagoya-u.ac.jp ohyama@apchem.nagoya-u.ac.jp.
Junya
J
Ohyama
Department of Molecular Design and Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Nagoya 484-8603, Japan Elements Strategy Initiative for Catalysts & Batteries, ESICB, Kyoto University, Kyoto 615-8520, Japan.
Atsushi
A
Satsuma
EcoTopia Science Institute, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Nagoya 484-8603, Japan Nanostructures Research Laboratory, The Japan Fine Ceramics Center, Mutsuno 2-4-1, Nagoya 456-0023, Japan.
Nobuo
N
Tanaka
Au single atom; Au sub-nano cluster; HAADF-STEM; global observation; morphological image processing; statistical particle distribution