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In-situ atomic tracking of intermetallic compound formation during thermal annealing

Author

Listed:
  • Xiao Han

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yanan Zhou

    (Ningbo University)

  • Xiaolin Tai

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Geng Wu

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Cai Chen

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Xun Hong

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Lei Tong

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Fangfang Xu

    (Chinese Academy of Sciences)

  • Hai-Wei Liang

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

  • Yue Lin

    (University of Science and Technology of China)

Abstract

Intermetallic compounds (IMCs) with ordered atomic structure have gained great attention as nanocatalysts for its enhanced activity and stability. Although the reliance of IMC preparation on high-temperature annealing is well known, a comprehensive understanding of the formation mechanisms of IMCs in this process is currently lacking. Here, we employ aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (AC-HAADF-STEM) to track the formation process of IMCs on carbon supports during in-situ annealing, by taking PtFe as a case study within an industry-relevant impregnation synthesis framework. We directly discern five different stages at the atomic level: initial atomic precursors; Pt cluster formation; Pt-Fe disordered alloying; structurally ordered Pt3Fe formation, and final Pt3Fe-PtFe IMC conversion. In particular, we find that the crucial role of high-temperature annealing resides in facilitating the diffusion of Fe towards Pt, enabling the creation of alloys with the targeted stoichiometric ratio, which in turn provides the thermodynamic driving force for the disorder-to-order transition.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiao Han & Yanan Zhou & Xiaolin Tai & Geng Wu & Cai Chen & Xun Hong & Lei Tong & Fangfang Xu & Hai-Wei Liang & Yue Lin, 2024. "In-situ atomic tracking of intermetallic compound formation during thermal annealing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-51541-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-51541-0
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Wei-Jie Zeng & Chang Wang & Qiang-Qiang Yan & Peng Yin & Lei Tong & Hai-Wei Liang, 2022. "Phase diagrams guide synthesis of highly ordered intermetallic electrocatalysts: separating alloying and ordering stages," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-8, December.
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    3. Jihan Zhou & Yongsoo Yang & Yao Yang & Dennis S. Kim & Andrew Yuan & Xuezeng Tian & Colin Ophus & Fan Sun & Andreas K. Schmid & Michael Nathanson & Hendrik Heinz & Qi An & Hao Zeng & Peter Ercius & Ji, 2019. "Observing crystal nucleation in four dimensions using atomic electron tomography," Nature, Nature, vol. 570(7762), pages 500-503, June.
    4. Miaofang Chi & Chao Wang & Yinkai Lei & Guofeng Wang & Dongguo Li & Karren L. More & Andrew Lupini & Lawrence F. Allard & Nenad M. Markovic & Vojislav R. Stamenkovic, 2015. "Surface faceting and elemental diffusion behaviour at atomic scale for alloy nanoparticles during in situ annealing," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 6(1), pages 1-9, December.
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