Analysis of nanoparticle 3D structure with 0.02nm accuracy
Big data algorithm-based 2D images
Successful Reconstruction into 3D Data, Published in Science


A research team led by Dr. Jungwon Park (Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Seoul National University) at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) Center for Nanoparticles, in collaboration with Monash University in Australia and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the U.S., developed an analytical technique capable of observing down to 0.02 nm and succeeded in capturing the three-dimensional structure of individual nanoparticles at the atomic level.

The research team used a liquid cell transmission electron microscope (Liquid cell TEM) to observe nanoparticles with an accuracy one-sixth that of hydrogen.

To design and synthesize high-performance nanomaterials, it is essential to properly understand their structure. Even minute changes in the atomic arrangement of nanoparticles can alter their physical properties, such as reducing catalytic activity or changing the color purity of displays. Until now, only the overall shape of nanoparticles could be observed, and there was no way to observe the atomic arrangement in three dimensions.

The research team developed a liquid cell, a special container capable of holding minute amounts of solution containing dissolved nanoparticles, and then observed the nanoparticles using a liquid-phase transmission electron microscope.

Liquid transmission electron microscopes observe nanoparticles rotating in a solution and capture 400 images per second. Subsequently, the research team tracked the positions of individual nanoparticles and processed thousands of captured images using an algorithm that reconstructs them in three dimensions to obtain a precise three-dimensional structure.

Through this, the three-dimensional atomic arrangement of platinum (Pt) nanoparticles synthesized in solution was observed. It was confirmed that even nanoparticles produced under the same conditions differ in structure, such as arrangement, at the atomic level.

This study made it possible to directly observe the surface structure that determines the physical and chemical properties of nanomaterials and to analyze the factors affecting the surface structure. It is expected to have a ripple effect on various application fields, such as improving catalyst performance and enhancing the color purity of displays.

Research Fellow Park Jung-won explained the significance of the research, stating, “Predicting and synthesizing the properties of materials using AI is an important methodology for future material development,” and added, “It has provided important clues for the design and synthesis of nanomaterials in a wide range of scientific and technological fields, including catalysts, displays, and new drug development.”

This research was conducted with support from IBS and the Samsung Foundation for Future Technology, and was published as a cover article in the journal Science (IF 41.037) on April 3.