title: Fabrication of crystals from single metal atoms.
abstract: Metal nanocrystals offer new concepts for the design of nanodevices with a range of potential applications. Currently the formation of metal nanocrystals cannot be controlled at the level of individual atoms. Here we describe a new general method for the fabrication of multi-heteroatom-doped graphitic matrices decorated with very small, ångström-sized, three-dimensional (3D)-metal crystals of defined size. We irradiate boron-rich precious-metal-encapsulated self-spreading polymer micelles with electrons and produce, in real time, a doped graphitic support on which individual osmium atoms hop and migrate to form 3D-nanocrystals, as small as 15 Å in diameter, within 1 h. Crystal growth can be observed, quantified and controlled in real time. We also synthesize the first examples of mixed ruthenium-osmium 3D-nanocrystals. This technology not only allows the production of ångström-sized homo- and hetero-crystals, but also provides new experimental insight into the dynamics of nanocrystals and pathways for their assembly from single atoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Nicolas P E
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Barry
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Anaïs
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitto-Barry
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Ana M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Sanchez
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Dove
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Procter
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Joan J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Soldevila-Barreda
authors.affiliation: Australian Synchrotron, 800 Blackburn Road, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
authors.forename: Nigel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kirby
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hands-Portman
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Corinne J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Rachel K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: O'Reilly
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Beanland
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Sadler
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization; D004583:Electrons; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008823:Micelles; D009992:Osmium / Q000737:chemistry; D012428:Ruthenium / Q000737:chemistry; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D008823:Micelles; D009992:Osmium; D006108:Graphite; D012428:Ruthenium