In situformation of bismuth nanoparticles through electron-beam irradiation in a transmission electron microscope

Abstract

In this work, bismuth nanoparticles were synthesized when a precursor, sodium bismuthate, was exposed to an electron beam at room temperature in a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The irradiation effects were investigated in situ using selected-area electron diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy. After the electron irradiation, bismuth nanoparticles with a rhombohedral structure and diameter of 6 nm were observed. The average particle size increased with the irradiation time. The electron-induced reduction is attributed to the desorption of oxygen ions. This method offers a one-step route to synthesize bismuth nanoparticles using electron irradiation, and the particle size can be controlled by the irradiation time.

Solid-state synthesis of embedded single-crystal metal oxide and phosphate nanoparticles and in situ crystallization

“…Various mechanisms such as quasi-melting, particle diffusion and phase transitionresolidification have been reported for some time. [14,15] Examples of nanocrystallization of anatase or rutile TiO 2 by laser treatment have been also reported [15] and the transformation from core/shell Se@C to yolk/shell M/Se@C (M = Au, Ag) can be achieved through electron beam irradiation from the microscope. [15] Controlling such reactions, allowed through electron beam induced heating interactions, is best achieved via organometallic routes, as is commonly observed in many applications such as focused ion beam metal deposition.…”

Nucleation and growth of Ni0 nanoparticles and thin films by TEM electron irradiation

“…Another different phenomenon was reported by SepulvedaGuzman et al [12], they found that metallic Bi nanoparticles were formed after 30 min by electron-stimulated reduction of sodium bismuthate. The Bi 0 nanoparticles were formed over the irradiated agglomerates and they were not ejected out the agglomerate, showing a difference with EBIF.…”

Nanobismuth: Fabrication, Optical, and Plasmonic Properties—Emerging Applications

“…Other methods to prepare Bi nanostructures include EBL [74], EM [61], MBE [62,92], thermal decomposition [50], electron-beam irradiation [53], hydrothermal etching [46], and plasma force [57]. e EBL method is suitable for well defining the position, the shape, and the dimension of the nanostructures but expensive and limited to small area samples.…”

“…Laserinduced approaches have been successfully used to produce Bi thin films, nanorods, and nanoparticles [34,35,43,51,63]. Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), electron-beam lithography (EBL), electron-beam irradiation, electromigration (EM), and plasma force have also been used [53,57,62,74]. In the following, these methods will be discussed one after another.…”