In-situ Observations of Pt Nanoparticle Growth at Atomic Resolution Using Graphene Liquid Cells and Cc Correction

Abstract

TEM aberration correctors now allow for structures to be investigated at atomic resolution with high contrast, which could greatly benefit in-situ observations of physical, chemical and biological phenomena. Recently, in-situ TEM observations of the growth of nanoparticles in liquids revealed new phenomena during the formation of colloidal inorganic particles, but the relatively thick SiN windows and even the liquid material trapped inside degrades TEM resolution and SNR [1]. To date, no liquid cell observations of nanostructures have been achieved at atomic resolution although the growth mechanisms of such materials could greatly benefit from high-resolution characterization. Graphene sheets have been successfully used as a single-atom thick substrate for high-contrast HRTEM imaging, and its high flexibility, mechanical strength and impermeability allows the encapsulation of liquid under TEM vacuum conditions [2-3]. We introduce a new type of liquid cell using graphene sheets to entrap a colloidal growth solution for in-situ HR-TEM imaging.