Assembly and structure of Ni/NiO core–shell nanoparticles

In this work it is reported a detailed investigation of the structure in Ni/NiO core–shell nanoparticles (NP). An experimental set-up was realized for the preparation and the study of pre-formed NP films. NiO shell was obtained with controlled dosing of O2 gas in the experimental system. A comparison of HR-TEM experimental images with theoretical simulations shows that the Ni NP core has a regular multitwinned icosahedral structure, composed with single crystal tetrahedra with (1 1 1) faces. NiO phase is clearly observed forming islands on the NP surface. In order to better investigate the oxide shell, the exit wave reconstruction method was applied to the images. It was found evidence of oxide island formation with direct or opposite (twinned) stacking on Ni (1 1 1) surfaces.