title: In situ Transmission Electron Microscopy observation of Ag nanocrystal evolution by surfactant free electron-driven synthesis.
abstract: The study of the interaction of electron irradiation with matter and the response of the material to the passage of electrons is a very challenging problem. However, the growth mechanism observed during nanostructural evolution appears to be a broad and promising scientific field in nanotechnology. We report the in situ TEM study of nanostructural evolution of electron-driven silver (Ag) nanocrystals through an additive-free synthetic procedure. Observations revealed the direct effect of the electron beam on the morphological evolution of Ag nanocrystals through different mechanisms, such as mass transport, site-selective coalescence, and an appropriate structural configuration after coalescence leading to a more stable configuration. A fundamental understanding of the growth and formation mechanisms of Ag nanocrystals, which interact with the electron beam, is essential to improve the nanocrystal shape-control mechanisms as well as the future design and study of nanomaterials.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemistry, UNESP-Universidade Estadual Paulista, R. Francisco Degni, 55, Araraquara 14800-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Elson
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics, UFSCar- Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luis, km 235, Sao Carlos 13565-905, Brazil.
authors.forename: Waldir
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Avansi
authors.affiliation: Brazilian Nanotechnology National Laboratory (LNNano), R. Guiuseppe Maximo Scolfaro 10000, Campinas, 13083-970, Brazil.
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bettini
authors.affiliation: Departament de Química Física i Analítica, UJI-Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain.
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Andrés
authors.affiliation: Departament de Química Física i Analítica, UJI-Universitat Jaume I, Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, Castelló de la Plana 12071, Spain.
authors.forename: Lourdes
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gracia