Project Details
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Atomic scale dynamics of metal nanoclusters

Subject Area Solid State and Surface Chemistry, Material Synthesis
Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Liquids and Interfaces, Biophysical Chemistry
Term from 2019 to 2023
Project identifier Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 424798828
 
Final Report Year 2024

Final Report Abstract

The aim of the project was the study of dynamics of metal particles, few-atom clusters, and even single atoms and their catalytic behaviour under the influence of external stimuli such as temperature and electron irradiation. The structures were encapsulated within single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) that act as ultrasmall test tubes. The electron beam of the electron microscope was not only the tool to image the structures in atomic resolution but also depending on electron energy (acceleration voltage varied between 20 to 80 kV using the SALVE TEM) it transferred energy to the system cluster-nanotube and triggered structural changes and even chemical reaction. With a dynamic of sub-seconds time resolution, the temporal development of the reactions could be observed with durations of up to few hours. Accompanying spectroscopic analysis (EELS and EDX), image simulation and structural calculation (molecular dynamics (MD) and first-principle (DFT) were carried out. Main results and highlights were the observation and the identification of the cluster nucleation process at the atomic scale, the atomic study of dynamics between single atoms and vacancies in graphic-like lattices and the observation of a molecular-bonding between two Re-atoms.

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