I will discuss my group’s recent progress on applying low-dose liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to directly capture the otherwise elusive crystallization pathways of colloidal nanoparticles into superlattices. We find that there exist similarities to the prevalent model system of micron-sized colloids, such as a non-classical two-step crystallization pathway, where amorphous intermediates in the form of nanoparticle clusters exist preceding the nucleation. Capillary wave theory can be used to describe the fluctuation and energy of the surfaces. But there are also differences, in particular, a universal layer-by-layer growth mode that we observe consistently for diverse nanoparticle shapes. Single particle tracking, trajectory analysis, and simulations combined unravel the energetic and kinetic features rendering this crystal growth mode possible and universal at the unexplored nanoscale, enabling advanced crystal engineering.

<i>In situ</i> TEM based “cinematography” to elucidate crystallization pathways at the nanoscale

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.

In situ TEM based “cinematography” to elucidate crystallization pathways at the nanoscale