Gold morphology

High resolution electron microscopy has recently demonstrated the capability to directly resolve the atomic structure of surfaces on small particles and thin films. In this paper we briefly review experimental observations for gold (110) and (111) surfacest and analyse how these results when combined with theoretical and experimental morphological studies, influence the interpretation of geometrical catalytic effects and the transfer of bulk surface experimental data to heterogeneous catalysts. 

Chui, Y.H., Grodiola, G., Snook, l.K. and Russo, S.P. (2007) Molecular dynamics investigation of the structural and thermodynamic properties of gold nanodusters of different morphologies. Physical Review B - Condensed Matter, 75, 033404-1-033404-4. 

Figure 7.5 Two topologically distinct types of mesoporous gold sponge, each with 50 volume % gold, (a) Swiss-cheese morphology produced by de-alloying, (b) aggregated particle morphology produced by sintering of nanoparticles.

Ultramicroscope, Shaker Verlag, Aachen (b) Turkevich, J. (1985) Colloidal gold. Part I. Flistorical and preparative aspects, morphology and structure. 

Correlation has been suggested between the morphology, electronic structure and catalytic properties of supported gold nanoparticles with special attention to the role of the substrate/interface behaviour. 

El-Deab MS, Sotomma T, Ohsaka T. 2005. Morphological selection of gold nanoparticles electrodeposited on various substrates. J Electrochem Soc 152 C730-C737. 

Bonfante et al. (73) used monoclonal antibodies and enzyme-gold complexes to reveal pectins and cellulose at the interface between the fungal wall and the host plasma membrane in AM roots (Fig. 6), and additional wall components have been investigated with other molecular probes (74-76). These studies indicate that the interface is an apoplastic space of high molecular complexity where the boundaries of the partners are defined. The examination of other endomycorrhizal systems has demonstrated that their interface is morphologically similar but different in composition. Cellulose and pectins are present at the interface... 

Comparing the above-mentioned results with the data of morphological survey of islet films of gold on a ZnO surface [116- 168] leads to an inference that the maximum of curve 1 is associated with changes in the geometric surface of the Au islet film as it grows, while the maximum at curve 2 is connected with changes in the mean size of microcrystals in the islet film. 

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