Microstructure of Au nanoclusters formed in and on SiO2

On the other hand, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses allowed us to study the nanocrystals equilibrium shape and internal atomic structure evidencing a strong influence of the surrounding environment. Quantitative data on the cluster surface free energy were obtained via the inverse Wulff construction. An angular and radial symmetric surface free energy function for nanocrystals isotropically surrounded (Au nanocrystals in SiO2) was found, determining symmetric nanocrystals equilibrium shapes. An angular and radial asymmetrical surface free energy function for nanocrystals anisotropically surrounded (Au nanocrystals on SiO2) was found, determining asymmetrical nanocrystals equilibrium shapes.