A stable multiply twinned decahedral gold nanoparticle with a barrel-like shape

In the present work we report a modified configuration of a multiply twinned decahedral barrel-like nanoparticle. The nanoparticle is stabilized by a selective chemical etching, which yielded a truncated shape with multiple high-index planes on the surface. The surface planes and the shape of the nanoparticle have been characterized using electron microscopy techniques, including scanning and transmission electron microscopies and electron diffraction. Coherent electron diffraction revealed streaked Bragg reflections which are in agreement with the high-index facets measured from electron microscope projected images. Crystal orientation mapping assisted by precession electron diffraction was performed under nanobeam conditions giving information about the structure from different orientations. The combination of these techniques allowed us to resolve the 3D structure of the modified nanoparticle and dismiss any possible ambiguities from the interpretation of the projected images in direct space.