Electron Holographic Characterization of Nano-Hetero Catalysts

Satoshi Ichikawa

Abstract: We made Au/TiC nano-hetero catalysts by vacuum evaporation method (VE) and characterized the interface structure using high-resolution electron microscopy and electron holography. The mean inner potential of the Au nano particles on TiC exhibit the size dependence. When the size of Au particle was smaller than 3nm, the mean inner potential of Au increased gradually. When the size was smaller than 2nm, the mean inner potential of the Au was over 30V. This tendency is similar to that of Au/TiO₂ catalysts prepared by VE which is considered to have Ti rich interfaces.

Key words: electron holography, mean inner potential, gold catalysts, Au/TiC, HREM