Interpretation of the Nano-Electron-Diffraction Patterns along the Five-Fold Axis of Decahedral Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract The transition from 10-fold to 5-fold symmetry was observed during the analysis of nanodiffraction patterns of a gold decahedral multiple twinned nanoparticle of 15 nm in diameter. The analysis shows that as the convergence of the beam is increased, the rotational symmetry of the diffraction pattern shifts from 10- to 5-fold. The 10-fold symmetry predicted by Friedel's law is lost by the asymmetric shift of the diffraction spots, an effect that becomes more noticeable as the electron beam convergence increases. Dynamical and kinematical diffraction calculations indicate this decrease in symmetry is the result of a double refraction effect coupled with the variation of the dynamical diffraction conditions arising from a varying electron beam convergence.