HRTEM structural characterization of platinum nanoparticles loaded on carbon black particles using focused ion beam milling

Abstract The atomic structure of platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) loaded on the carbon black particles was investigated using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Both the side and plan view HRTEM images of the Pt NPs showed the inhomogeneously strained structures. These structures were analyzed by approximating the Pt NPs as monoclinic crystal structures, and no correlation was observed between the monoclinic lattice parameters and the Pt NP diameter. The mean unit cell volume of the Pt NPs was smaller than the unit cell volume of bulk Pt, and approximately 70% of the Pt NPs were compressively strained and the remaining 30% were expansively strained.