Electron-Beam-Assisted Formation of Simple-Cubic Silver

IF 9.1 1区材料科学 Q1 CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY

Nano Letters Pub Date : 2026-10-21 DOI:10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c03635

Masaya Sakakibara,Hiroki Nada,Yuji Kunisada,Tomoya Yamazaki,Yuki Kimura

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Abstract

Accessing crystal phases under nonequilibrium conditions is a central challenge for expanding the landscape of materials. Simple-cubic (sc) structures are considered energetically unfavorable in elemental solids and have previously been confirmed only in polonium. Here, we report the direct observation of a previously unrecognized sc-Ag formed under far-from-equilibrium conditions. Using electron beam irradiation inside a high-resolution transmission electron microscope as a trigger, we induced the radiolytic decomposition of silver iodide (AgI) and tracked the in situ formation of silver crystals in real time. Continuous imaging revealed that sc-Ag formation strongly depends on the polymorph of the precursor and occurs selectively from metastable γ-AgI. The sc-Ag exhibited unusually high chemical reactivity, undergoing gradual oxidation into silver oxide under high-vacuum conditions where conventional fcc-Ag remains stable. These findings demonstrate that irreversible crystal formation pathways can kinetically stabilize crystal structures inaccessible under near-equilibrium conditions and extend a previously inaccessible structural limit of metallic bonding.

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电子束辅助形成简单立方银

在非平衡条件下获取晶体相是扩展材料景观的核心挑战。简单立方结构在单质固体中被认为是能量上不利的，以前只在钋中得到证实。在这里，我们报告了在远离平衡条件下形成的以前未被识别的sc-Ag的直接观察。利用高分辨率透射电子显微镜内的电子束辐照作为触发器，诱导碘化银（AgI）的辐射分解，并实时跟踪银晶体的原位形成。连续成像显示sc-Ag的形成强烈依赖于前体的多晶型，并选择性地从亚稳的γ-AgI中发生。sc-Ag表现出异常高的化学反应活性，在高真空条件下逐渐氧化成氧化银，而传统的fcc-Ag保持稳定。这些发现表明，不可逆的晶体形成途径可以在动力学上稳定近平衡条件下无法达到的晶体结构，并扩展了以前无法达到的金属键结构极限。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Nano Letters 工程技术-材料科学：综合

CiteScore

16.80

自引率

2.80%

发文量

1182

审稿时长

1.4 months

期刊介绍： Nano Letters serves as a dynamic platform for promptly disseminating original results in fundamental, applied, and emerging research across all facets of nanoscience and nanotechnology. A pivotal criterion for inclusion within Nano Letters is the convergence of at least two different areas or disciplines, ensuring a rich interdisciplinary scope. The journal is dedicated to fostering exploration in diverse areas, including: - Experimental and theoretical findings on physical, chemical, and biological phenomena at the nanoscale - Synthesis, characterization, and processing of organic, inorganic, polymer, and hybrid nanomaterials through physical, chemical, and biological methodologies - Modeling and simulation of synthetic, assembly, and interaction processes - Realization of integrated nanostructures and nano-engineered devices exhibiting advanced performance - Applications of nanoscale materials in living and environmental systems Nano Letters is committed to advancing and showcasing groundbreaking research that intersects various domains, fostering innovation and collaboration in the ever-evolving field of nanoscience and nanotechnology.