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Structure, morphology, and aging of Ag–Fe dumbbell nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Elsukova Anna,
Li ZiAn,
Möller Christina,
Spasova Marina,
Acet Mehmet,
Farle Michael,
Kawasaki Masahiro,
Ercius Peter,
Duden Thomas
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
physica status solidi (a)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1862-6319
pISSN - 1862-6300
DOI - 10.1002/pssa.201127104
Subject(s) - materials science , dumbbell , crystallinity , nanoparticle , nanocomposite , transmission electron microscopy , annealing (glass) , particle (ecology) , chemical engineering , high resolution transmission electron microscopy , morphology (biology) , nanotechnology , crystallography , composite material , chemistry , medicine , oceanography , physical therapy , geology , biology , engineering , genetics
Dumbbell‐shaped or Janus‐type nanocomposites provide multifunctional properties with various diagnostic and therapeutic applications in biomedicine. We have prepared dumbbell Ag–Fe nanoparticles by magnetron sputtering with subsequent in‐flight annealing. Structural properties and chemical compositions of freshly prepared and 5‐month aged particles were examined by means of transmission electron microscopy including high‐resolution imaging, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and 3D electron tomography. Fresh particles consist of a faceted Ag part on a Fe‐Fe 3 O 4 composite particle of more spherical shape. Aging changes the crystallinity and morphology of the particles. The aged nanocomposite consists of a silver spherical particle that is attached to a hollow iron oxide sphere containing one or several silver clusters inside.TEM images of the fresh (a) and aged (b) Ag–Fe nanoparticles. (c) 3D reconstructed image of an aged Ag–Fe particle with color segmentation.