Three-dimensional analysis of platinum supercrystals by transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy observations

Three-dimensional networks with periodicity of several nanometres consisting of platinum crystallites have been examined by a combination of transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy. It has been clarified that the average three-dimensional structure of the networks deviates slightly from that of the mould, a silica mesoporous material. The existence of local distortion, misorientation of constituent platinum crystals and a defect structure of the networks have been found. The effectiveness and the importance of three-dimensional electron microscopy observations of nanomaterials with complicated configurations have been proved.