Controlled growth of bismuth nanoparticles by electron beam irradiation in TEM

In situ nanometer-sized bismuth particles were synthesized by irradiation of the electron beam in the TEM. The size of the crystalline Bi nanoparticles could be controlled by adjusting the irradiation time of the electron beam. Characterization of TEM reveals that the Bi nanoparticles exist in rhombic structure, same as to bulk Bi.