Fig. 3: 3D tomography analysis of nanoparticle coalescence during the hybrid core-shell nanowire growth.

A HRSTEM image of Pd coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing the core-shell morphology as well as the attached nanoparticle blocked inside the double helical (red box). B, C 3D atomic resolution electron tomography of Pd coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing in different orientation. The tilting angle range of electron tomography: [−62˚, 64˚]. The attached Pd nanoparticle as well as the phase merge in 〈111〉 direction is highlighted (the red box). D Crop image of 3D atomic resolution reconstructed Pd coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing its attached orientation in Pd 〈111〉 direction highlighted in yellow dash line. E 3D atomic resolution electron tomography of Au coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing a smooth surface. The tilting angle range of electron tomography: [−63˚, 67˚]. F HRSTEM image of Fe coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing the core-shell morphology as well as the attached nanoparticle coalescence in Fe(110) direction. The inserted image is the whole double-helical nanowire with scale bar: 5 nm. G HRSTEM image of Ni coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing the core-shell morphology in atomic resolution. The inserted image is the whole double-helical nanowire with scale bar: 50 nm. H HRSTEM image of Cu coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing the core-shell morphology in atomic resolution. The inserted image is the whole double-helical nanowire with scale bar: 20 nm. I HRSTEM image of Ag coated chiral AuAg nanowires, showing the core-shell morphology as well as the attached nanoparticle coalescence in Ag 〈111〉 direction.