Sk. Shaikhutdinov et Fjcs. Aires, EVOLUTION OF THE RHODIUM COLLOID SUPPORTED ON GRAPHITE STUDIED BY ATOMIC-FORCE MICROSCOPY IN THE TAPPING MODE, Langmuir, 14(13), 1998, pp. 3501-3505
Rhodium colloid stabilized by trioctylamine and deposited on a highly
oriented pyrolitic graphite was studied by atomic force microscopy in
the tapping mode. Most of the intact colloid particles are found to be
agglomerated via two-dimensional islands or sphere-shaped clusters at
tached to the steps of the graphite surface. No particle sintering occ
urs after thermal treatments in vacuo at 100-550 degrees C. Oxidation
at 550 degrees C leads to sintering of the particles contacting with t
he carbon support but not within spherical 3D-aggregates. In addition,
AFM images show the gasification trails following the Rh particles on
graphite. Data indicate a strong colloid-support interaction under ox
idative conditions.