Preparation of naked silver nanoparticles in a TEM column and direct in situ observation of their structural changes at high temperature

Abstract Naked silver nanoparticles supported on SiO 2 were prepared in a TEM chamber in order to be directly observed in situ their structural changes at high temperature. Without exposing the samples in air, this method give a possibility to understand the behavior of metal itself without any contamination or oxidation. Melting temperature depression according to the particle size could be observed.