Production and STEM examination of controlled-size silver clusters

Knowledge of the function and structure of small metal clusters is one goal of research in catalysis. One important experimental parameter is cluster size. Ideally, one would like to produce metal clusters of regulated size in order to characterize size-dependent cluster properties.A source has been developed which is capable of producing microscopic metal clusters of controllable size (in the range 5-500 atoms) This source, the Multiple Expansion Cluster Source, with a Free Jet Deceleration Filter (MECS/FJDF) operates as follows. The bulk metal is heated in an oven to give controlled concentrations of monomer and dimer which were expanded sonically. These metal species were quenched and condensed in He and filtered to produce areosol particles of a controlled size as verified by mass spectrometer measurements. The clusters were caught on pre-mounted, clean carbon films. The grids were then transferred in air for microscopic examination. MECS/FJDF was used to produce two different sizes of silver clusters for this study: nominally Ag6 and Ag50.