Atomic Structure of Quantum Gold Nanowires: Quantification of the Lattice Strain

Kundu, Paromita and Turner, Stuart and Van Aert, Sandra and Ravishankar, N and Van Tendeloo, Gustaaf (2014) Atomic Structure of Quantum Gold Nanowires: Quantification of the Lattice Strain. In: ACS NANO, 8 (1). pp. 599-606.

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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.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	ACS NANO
Publisher:	AMER CHEMICAL SOC
Additional Information:	Copyright for this article belongs to the AMER CHEMICAL SOC, USA
Keywords:	Au nanowires; ultrafine; aberration-corrected microscopy; surface strain; 3D atomic structure
Department/Centre:	Division of Chemical Sciences > Materials Research Centre
Date Deposited:	06 Mar 2014 07:00
Last Modified:	19 Mar 2014 05:36
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/48500

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