Ultrasonic Synthesis of Au/AgCl Hybrid Cubes and Their Evolution Under Electron Beam Irradiation

Abstract

The utilization of ultrasound offers a facile tool for the synthesis of Au / AgCl hybrid particles. We have obtained the architectures of Au nanoparticles on AgCl sub-micrometer cubes by simply ultrasonic irradiating their precursors in ethylene glycol (EG). The formation process of Au / AgCl hybrid particles in the reaction solution has been studied based on the optical absorption spectra and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the particles obtained at different ultrasonic irradiation stages. The dynamic changes of Au / AgCl hybrid particles under electron beam irradiation have been investigated in both SEM and in situ liquid cell transmission electron microscope (TEM). Hollow Au / AgCl hybrid particle structures have been obtained under the electron beam irradiation in liquid, with the cuboid contour shape preserved.