Direct observation of chemical reactions in silica-coated gold and silver nanoparticles

Abstract

The direct observation of chemical reactions of single particles in real time has been achieved using silver nano‐particles covered in a 10 nm silica shell (see cover). Transmission electron micrographs reveal how molecular iodine diffuses through the shell and reacts with Ag, giving AgI. A single AgI particle (mid‐gray) is shown to form on the surface of the silica while the Ag core shrinks. magnified image