Structural transformation of multinary alloy nanoparticles

Multinary transition metal nanoparticles are promising candidates for energy applications. Our research is based on the synthesis and in-depth atomic-scale characterization of these multinary systems.

The multinary nanoparticles are synthesized by our project partners using direct current sputtering and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering from five elemental targets (Cr-Mn-Fe-Co-Ni) into ionic liquids. Due to their low vapor pressure, ionic liquids (salts with a melting point < 100°C) can be used as liquid substrates in sputter processes. Furthermore, the ionic liquid itself can act as an electronic as well as a steric stabilizer preventing particle growth and particle aggregation leading to the formation of extremely small nanoparticles and with a strong effect on the structure of the formed nanoparticles.

The main focus of our work is set on the investigation of multinary nanoparticles by using various microscopy techniques, such as Cs corrected high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), (scanning) transmission electron microscopy ((S)TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). With these techniques the size, shape, crystallinity, defects and chemical composition of the nanoparticles are deduced.

Direct current sputtering technique leads to amorphous multinary nanoparticles as observed by HRTEM. Crystalline nanoparticles can be achieved by in situ TEM experiments using illumination with 300 keV electrons, ex situ annealing in vacuum at 100°C during 10h and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering process. A body-centered cubic structure is generated during in situ electron beam illumination and high-power impulse magnetron sputtering technique while longer ex situ annealing leads to a face-centered cubic structure. Finally, EDS elemental mapping of multinary nanoparticles provides an effective way to study the chemical composition and the distribution of each element (Cr-Mn-Co-Fe-Ni).