Ceramic Nanocrystals
Abstract
We have shown that it is possible to prepare disposable nanocrystals of transition metal oxides in the absence of water or air by thermal decomposition of metal Cupferron complexes in hot surfactants. Preliminary experiments suggest that a similar level of size control as in the synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals is possible. Since the precursor is available for many metal elements, this approach may present a rather general route to metal oxide nanocrystals. In another study resonant photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM) at the FeL absorption edge was utilized to image single gamma-Fe203 nanocrystals of 10 nm average diameter (approximately 20,000 Fe atoms) and to record soft x-ray absorption spectra of individual particles. Within the spectral resolution of the experiment, no damage to the individual nanoparticles occurs during repeated prolonged exposures to the intense x-ray beam. Furthermore, no differences in the x-ray absorption spectrum of a single nanocrystal are observed whereas PEEM contrast images and absorption spectra show strong intensity variations. This proof-of-principle experiment demonstrates the applicability of x-ray spectromicroscopy to the study of nanoscale systems on a hitherto unachieved length scale.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 28, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA400094
Entities
People
- A. P. Alivisatos
Organizations
- University of California, Berkeley