The interpretation of the activity of catalysts requires information
about the sizes of the metal particles, since this has implications for the
number of surface atoms available for reaction. To determine the particle
dimensions we used a high resolution STEM1. Such an
instrument with its simple optical transfer function is far more suitable
than a conventional transmission electron microscope for the establishment
of particle sizes. We report here our study on the size and number
distribution of Ir particles supported on
Al2O3 and also examine simple
geometric models for the shape of Ir particles.