Atomic Mechanisms of Nanocrystallization via Cluster-Clouds in Solution Studied by Liquid-Phase Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy

The formation of nanocrystals is at the heart various scientific disciplines, but atomic mechanisms underlying early stages crystallization from supersaturated solutions are still rather unclear. Here, we used in situ liquid-phase scanning transmission electron microscopy to study level very gold nanocrystal growth, and evolution its crystallinity. We found that nucleation initiated by poorly crystalline nanoparticles. These transformed into monocrystals via nanocrystallization governed a complex process multiple out-and-in exchanges matter between crystalline-core disordered-shell, referred as cluster-cloud. Our observations crystal/cluster-cloud interface during growth demonstrate initially formed expel crystallized phases nanoclusters cluster-cloud, then readsorb it two distinct pathways, namely, (i) monomer attachments (ii) nanocluster coalescence. This eventually leads monocrystalline