Fig. 1: Morphological analysis of branched cubic Pt mesocrystals.
a Ex situ TEM image of synthesized mesocrystals formed from 1.45 mM of K2PtCl4 and 52 mM of HCOOH. Inset, schematic of branched cubic mesocrystals showing the cube-shaped core (yellow) and branches (purple) growing from the cube faces. b, c SAED pattern (b) and Scanning TEM image (c) from a single mesocrystal. Inset in (b), corresponding TEM image. Scale bar for the inset: 40 nm. d, e HR-TEM images (d) and corresponding FFT patterns (e) of cubic core obtained at 45 min, with an outline showing {100} attachments between NPs. f, g HR-TEM images (f) and corresponding FFT patterns (g) of branches showing they result from {111} attachments between NPs to form {111}-aligned nanorods. Branched cubes were obtained at > 60 min NPs are indicated by dotted circles, and the attachment plane is indicated by solid lines in (d, f). Images in (a−c) and (g) are observed 2 days after the reaction. Z.A., zone axis. h Schematics showing the OA direction and the resulting morphology. Pt NPs are depicted as dark blue spheres, with the attaching {111} and {100} facets colored blue and orange, respectively.
