Abstract
The technique of perturbed angular correlations of gamma rays (PAC) is applied for the first time to study the structure of small metal clusters. Metal clusters containing111In probe atoms with 50 nm radii were synthesized by dissolving InCl3 containing111In in hexane using a surfactant, thereby creating an inverse micellar solution. The salt was then reduced to metal form by addition of NaBH4. 100% conversion efficiency of In salt to metal clusters was achieved. PAC measurements at 293 K on the111Cd daughter nuclide exhibited a nuclear quadrupole interaction with coupling frequency ω0=16.0(5) Mrad/s and a small asymmetry parameter, η=0.20(4). The frequency is as observed for bulk In crystals, but a non-zero value of η has not been previously reported. Lack of inhomogeneous signal broadening and the faceted shape of some nanoclusters suggest high crystal perfection.
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Sinha, P., Collins, G.S. Indium metal nanoclusters studied by PAC. Hyperfine Interact 80, 1117–1120 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567473
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00567473