ATOMIC RESOLUTION ELECTRON-MICROSCOPY OF SMALL METAL-CLUSTERS

Atomic resolution imaging of cluster structures has been performed with high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Metal particles of the sizes 1 nanometer to tens of nanometers have been surface profile imaged on different supports; like zeolites, cordierite and amorphous carbon. It is shown that organic ligands in Schmid-clusters coordinated to the metal surface are desorbed or destroyed by the electron beam. Dynamic events on the surfaces and in the bulk of small metal particles have been recorded for small crystals of Au, Pt, Rh and Pb and can be classified under three headings; The smaller the crystals are the faster rearrangements of the crystal structure; "clouds" of atoms existing outside some surfaces are involved in extensive structural rearrangements of the surface or crystal surface growth; localized atom hopping on surfaces during crystal growth and desorption also occurs.