Three-dimensional analysis of platinum supercrystals by transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy observations

Abstract

Three-dimensional networks with periodicity of several nanometres consisting of platinum crystallites have been examined by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. It has been clarified that the average three-dimensional structure of the networks deviates slightly from that of the mould, a silica mesoporous material. The existence of local distortion, misorientation of constituent platinum crystals and a defect structure of the networks have been found. The effectiveness and the importance of three-dimensional electron microscopy observations of nanomaterials with complicated configurations have been proved.

Acknowledgements

Sample preparation by Professor R. Ryoo of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is greatly appreciated. The present study is partly supported by Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology, Japan Science and Technology Corporation and by a grant from the Intellectual Foundation Promotion System of the Special Coordination Funds for Promoting Science and Technology of the Japanese Government, entitled ‘Development of the 3D electron microscope’. A part of the present study is supported also by grant-in-aid for young scientists (B) 15760005, a grant entitled ‘Active nano-characterization and technology project’ and a grant-in-aid for the priority area entitled ‘Localized quantum structures’ from the Ministry of Education, Science, Sport, Culture and Technology, Japan.