Publication Type
Journal
Journal Name
Journal of Physical Chemistry
Publication Date
Page Numbers
6983 to 6988
Volume
114
Issue
15
Abstract
We investigated the atomic structure of gold nanoparticles with an average size of ∼5 nm in diameter, supported
by silica. We used high-energy X-ray diffraction and the atomic pair distribution function (PDF) to probe the
local atomic structure. Measurements were performed from 25 to 950 °C. The structure is approximately fcc
in average but exhibits small distortions. The structural distortion increases with the temperature and could
be related to the catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles. Above 425 °C, rapid particle growth and coalescence
were observed.
