In Situ Imaging of Ion Motion in a Single Nanoparticle: Structural Transformations in Selenium Nanoparticles

Abstract

Intraparticle ion motions are critical to the structure and properties of nanomaterials, but rarely disclosed. Herein, in situ visualization of ion motions in a single nanoparticle is presented by dark‐field microscopy imaging, which shows HgCl2‐induced structural transformation of amorphous selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) with the main composition of Se8. Owing to the high binding affinity with selenium and coulomb interactions, Hg2+ ions can permeate into the interior of SeNPs, making the amorphous Se8 turn to polycrystalline Hg3Se2Cl2. As a proof of concept, SeNPs then serve as a highly effective scavenger for selective removal of Hg2+ ions from solution. This new finding offers visual proof for the photophysical process involving intraparticle ion motion, demonstrating that tracking the ion motions is a novel strategy to comprehend the formation mechanism with the purpose of developing new nanostructures like nanoalloys and nano metal compounds.

All‐In‐One Detection, Removal and Recovery of Hg2+ in Industrial Wastewater with Plasmonic Schottky Heterostructures

“…It is worth noting that although the dominant species and redox ability of Hg are greatly related to Cl − in solution, the robust adsorption and alloying ability of WO 3 /Ag toward Hg 2+ could ensure the sustained release of free Hg 2+ . [ 28 ] Thus, the abundant interfering ions have little influence on the results of Hg 2+ detection (Figure S20b, Supporting Information). Besides, XPS signals of the impurities were hardly detected on the electrode surface (Figure 3g), suggesting no adsorption or chemical interaction between WO 3 /Ag and interferences.…”

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