Characterization of Individual Ag Nanoparticles and Their Chemical Environment

Silver nanoparticles (NPs) of similar to 5 nm diameter deposited in a single layer on glycine were examined with cluster secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) in the event-by-event bombardment-detection mode. The projectiles used were Au-3(+), C-60(+), and Au-400(4+) with impact energies of 34, 26, and 136 keV, respectively. ne highest secondary ion yields were obtained with Au-400(4+). The method presented can test single or multilayer organization and determine surface coverage. NPs are identified one-by-one for chemical composition. Chemical and physical information in a nonimaging mode was resolved at similar to 10 nm. Grazing vs direct impacts on NPs were identified and quantified. NP fragmentation from direct impacts with Au-400(4+) and C-60(+) was observed for the first time.