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We synthesized Ni nanoparticles with an atmospheric-thermal chemical vapor deposition method and investigated their lattice distortions and defects using Bragg coherent diffractive imaging. Because the strain can alter the magnetic properties of ferromagnetic materials, it is important to study the lattice distortion and structural imperfection. As a result of the Bragg coherent diffractive imaging, we found that the Ni nanocubes have a deformation-free zone in the middle. In addition, the defects such as dislocation and twin domain defects were detected in other Ni nanoparticles based on the Bragg diffraction images and patterns. The imaging of nanoparticles can contribute to a better understanding of their growth mechanisms and improve the design and synthesis of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bragg coherent diffractive imaging is a powerful technique that can be used to explore the internal structure and strain of nanoscale crystalline objects. During the data collection process, the Bragg peak typically stays within a small range of pixels on the x-ray sensitive area detector. Here, we report abrupt and irreversible Bragg peak movement during the coherent x-ray data collection process for both Pd nanocubes and a Ni nanowire. We report that this phenomenon can be attributed to x-ray momentum transfer, also known as radiation pressure, to the nanocrystals. Understanding this effect is crucial given the anticipated coherent flux increases at next-generation synchrotron sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We use coherent x-ray diffractive imaging to map the local distribution of strain in gold (Au) polyhedral nanocrystals grown on a silicon (Si) substrate by a single-step thermal chemical vapor deposition process. The lattice strain at the surface of the octahedral nanocrystal agrees well with the predictions of the Young-Laplace equation quantitatively, but exhibits a discrepancy near the nanocrystal-substrate interface. We attribute this discrepancy to the dissimilar interfacial energies between Au/Air and Au/Si and to the difference in thermal expansion between the nanocrystal and the substrate during the cooling process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coherent x-ray diffraction imaging is used to map the local three dimensional strain inhomogeneity and electron density distribution of two individual LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4-δ cathode nanoparticles in both ex-situ and in-situ environments. Our reconstructed images revealed a maximum strain of 0.4%. We observed different variations in strain inhomogeneity due to multiple competing effects. The compressive/tensile component of the strain is connected to the local lithium content and, on the surface, interpreted in terms of a local Jahn-Teller distortion of Mn3+. Finally, the measured strain distributions are discussed in terms of their impact on competing theoretical models of the lithiation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have engineered an antiferromagnetic domain wall by utilizing a magnetic frustration effect of a thin iron cap layer deposited on a chromium film. Through lithography and wet etching, we selectively remove areas of the Fe cap layer to form a patterned ferromagnetic mask over the Cr film. Removing the Fe locally removes magnetic frustration in user-defined regions of the Cr film. We present x-ray microdiffraction microscopy results confirming the formation of a 90° spin-density wave propagation domain wall in Cr. This domain wall nucleates at the boundary defined by our Fe mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We employ three dimensional x-ray coherent diffraction imaging to map the lattice strain distribution, and to probe the elastic properties of a single crystalline Ni (001) nanowire grown vertically on an amorphous SiO2∥Si substrate. The reconstructed density maps show that with increasing wire width, the equilibrium compressive stress in the core region decreases sharply while the surface tensile strain increases, and gradually trends to a nonzero constant. We use the retrieved projection of lattice distortion to predict the Young's Modulus of the wire based on the elasticity theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]