Sintering Behaviors of Supported Nanoparticles Related to Spatial Location by a Quasi-Four-Dimensional TEM

Abstract

The performance degradation via sintering phenomenon is a critical issue for the application of supported nanoparticles in industrial catalysis. However, the challenges to combine in situ stimulation and three-dimensional (3D) characterization hinder a profound understanding of sintering behaviors, thus the effect of spatial location on nanoparticles sintering has long been neglected. Herein, based on a homemade holder integrated with in situ Joule heating and electron tomography, a quasi-four-dimensional (4D) transmission electron microscope characterization approach is developed to reveal the spatial location of supported nanoparticles and its pronounced impact on size distribution and sintering behaviors. The results of 3D visualization and statistical analysis demonstrate a strong location-dependent sintering behavior of supported nanoparticles, where external nanoparticles sinter via migration coalescence, and internal nanoparticles sinter via Ostwald ripening. The quasi-4D methods developed in this work can also be extended to the study on 3D configuration evolution of other nanomaterials under an external stimulus.

Emerging transmission electron microscopy solutions for electrocatalysts: from synthesis to deactivation

“…In situ TEM has also been used to study the annealing of single atom catalysts (SACs). Poerwoprajitno et al 105 monitored the dispersion of Pt nano-islands into single atoms on the surface of Ru NPs by in situ TEM in the atmosphere of H 2 up to a temperature of 700 1C. The in situ TEM revealed that Pt islands were ''dissolved'' to form Pt SACs, where the reduction of high surface energy and the formation of strong Pt-Ru bonds result in high MOR activity.…”