| AVS 56th International Symposium & Exhibition | |
| Nanometer-scale Science and Technology | Tuesday Sessions |
| Session NS-TuP |
| Session: | Nanometer-scale Science and Technology Poster Session |
| Presenter: | F. Behafarid, University of Central Florida |
| Authors: | F. Behafarid, University of Central Florida A. Naitabdi, University of Central Florida B. Roldan Cuenya, University of Central Florida |
| Correspondent: | Click to Email |
Size-selected Pt nanoparticles were synthesized by inverse micelle encapsulation on PS-PVP diblock copolymers. The thermal stability of these Pt nanoparticles deposited on TiO2(110) has been investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. Our micelle-based nanoparticles were found to be very stable against agglomeration and they preserved their initial size (~3.2 nm) and hexagonal arrangement up to an annealing temperature of at least 1000°C [1]. Furthermore, the original spherical shape of these particles was found to change upon annealing above 1000°C, leading to the formation of 3D faceted particles. Atomic desorption and cluster coarsening was observed at 1060°C. Our study also revealed that strong nanoparticle/support interactions are present in this system, resulting in the formation of TiO2 nanostripes at high temperature with widths and a 2D spatial arrangement pre-determined by the presence and distribution of the Pt nanoparticles on the substrate.
Further insight into the mechanisms underlying the enhanced thermal stability of our micellar nanoparticles was obtained via a comparative study with UHV-evaporated Pt nanoparticles supported on pristine and polymer-coated TiO2(110) surfaces.