Investigation of branched nanocrystal growth mechanism via particle attachments
EMSL Project ID
60619
Abstract
Highly branched nanomaterials underlie numerous intended technological applications due to large absorption cross-sections, the short electron mean free paths, or complex patterns of optical interference, et.al. However, understanding the crystal growth mechanisms in branched nanomaterials is key for manipulating their architectures and therefore controlling their properties. However, it is limited because there was no experimental tool that possessed the spatial and temporal resolution needed to capture the formative events in the process. One of the growth mechanisms of complex crystalline structures is aggregation and oriented attachment (OA) of primary nanoparticles. Here, the purpose of this project is to now apply in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to this system, which we believe is the one in which we can isolate the key factors controlling nucleation, interaction, and OA of primary particles, and eventual formation of branched nanowires. Ligands or biomolecules commonly exist and play a key role in particle-mediated materials growth, leading to a wide variety of structures. However, it is not fully understood how these organic molecules control forces interacting between particles and thus the dynamics of particle assembly. We will also study the role of surface-coating materials in determining the interfacial structures of solvent/ligand (biomolecule)/crystal surface, and thus the interaction forces between particles.
Project Details
Start Date
2022-12-10
End Date
2023-09-30
Status
Closed
Released Data Link
Team
Principal Investigator
Team Members