Evaluation of the dipole interaction of a pair of metal particles in the region of the plasmon resonance

In the Study of small metal particles the shape is a very Important parameter. Using electron microscopy Ino and Owaga(l) have studied the shape of twinned particles of gold. In that work electron diffraction and contrast (dark field) experiments were used to produce models of a crystal particle. In this work we report a method which can give direct information about the shape of an small metal particle in the amstrong- size range with high resolution. The diffraction pattern of a sample containing small metal particles contains in general several systematic and non- systematic reflections and a two-beam condition can not be used in practice. However a N-beam condition produces a reduced extinction distance. On the other hand if a beam is out of the bragg condition the effective extinction distance is even more reduced.

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Structure and composition of metal particles in Pt-Sn/Al2O3 bimetallic catalysts

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100174527 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 278-279

Author(s):

A. Sachdev ◽

J. Schwank

Keyword(s):

Bimetallic Catalysts ◽

Bimetallic Catalyst ◽

Size Structure ◽

High Surface ◽

High Surface Area ◽

Metal Particles ◽

Alloy Formation ◽

Particle Size Range ◽

Oxide Supports ◽

Petroleum Fractions

Platinum - tin bimetallic catalysts have been primarily utilized in the chemical industry in the catalytic reforming of petroleum fractions. In this process the naphtha feedstock is converted to hydrocarbons with higher octane numbers and high anti-knock qualities. Most of these catalysts contain small metal particles or crystallites supported on high surface area insulating oxide supports. The determination of the structure and composition of these particles is crucial to the understanding of the catalytic behavior. In a bimetallic catalyst it is important to know how the two metals are distributed within the particle size range and in what way the addition of a second metal affects the size, structure and composition of the metal particles. An added complication in the Pt-Sn system is the possibility of alloy formation between the two elements for all atomic ratios.

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Investigation of cluster layers of small netal particles by TEM, SEM, EELS and by photoacoustic spectroscopy

Proceedings, annual meeting, Electron Microscopy Society of America ◽

10.1017/s0424820100174382 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 48 (4) ◽

pp. 250-251

Author(s):

H. Seiler ◽

U. Haas ◽

K.H. Körtje

Keyword(s):

Bulk Material ◽

High Vacuum ◽

Optical Methods ◽

Metal Particles ◽

Silver Particles ◽

Low Loss ◽

Plasmon Excitation ◽

First Results ◽

Diffraction Patterns ◽

Small Metal Particles

The physical properties of small metal particles reveal an intermediate position between atomic and bulk material. Especially Ag has shown pronounced size effects. We compared silver layers evaporated in high vacuum with cluster layers of small silver particles, evaporated in N2 at a pressure of about 102 Pa. The investigations were performed by electron optical methods (TEM, SEM, EELS) and by Photoacoustic (PA) Spectroscopy (gas-microphone detection).The observation of cluster layers with TEM and high resolution SEM show small silver particles with diameters of about 50 nm (Fig. 1 and Figure 2, respectively). The electron diffraction patterns of homogeneous Ag layers and of cluster layers are similar, whereas the low loss EELS spectra due to plasmon excitation are quite different. Fig. 3 and Figure 4 show first results of EELS spectra of a cluster layer of small silver particles on carbon foil and of a homogeneous Ag layer, respectively.

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