Tracking the Mn Diffusion in the Carbon-Supported Nanoparticles Through the Collaborative Analysis of Atom Probe and Evaporation Simulation

Carbon-supported nanoparticles have been used widely as efficient catalysts due to their enhanced surface-to-volume ratio. To investigate their structure-property relationships, acquiring 3D elemental distribution is required. Here, carbon-supported Pt, PtMn alloy, and ordered Pt3Mn nanoparticles are synthesized and analyzed with atom probe tomography as model systems. A significant difference of Mn distribution after the heat-treatment was found. Finally, the field evaporation behavior of the carbon support was discussed and each acquired reconstruction was compared with computational results from an evaporation simulation. This paper provides a guideline for studies using atom probe tomography on the heterogeneous carbon-supported nanoparticle system that leads to insights toward a wide variety of applications.

Automated summary

This study utilizes atom probe tomography to investigate the structure-property relationships of carbon-supported nanoparticles. It synthesizes and analyzes carbon-supported Pt, PtMn alloy, and ordered Pt3Mn nanoparticles as model systems. The research provides insights into the 3D elemental distribution and the field evaporation behavior of the carbon support, and offers guidance for future studies and applications.