Strain release by 3D atomic misfit in fivefold twinned icosahedral nanoparticles with amorphization and dislocations

Multiple twinning to form fivefold twinned nanoparticles in crystal growth is common and has attracted broad attention ranging from crystallography research to physical chemistry and materials science. Lattice-misfit strain and defects in multiple twinned nanoparticles (MTP) are key to understand and tailor their electronic properties. However, the structural defects and related strain distributions in MTPs are poorly understood in three dimensions (3D). Here, we show the 3D atomic misfit and strain relief mechanism in fivefold twinned icosahedral nanoparticles with amorphization and dislocations by using atomic resolution electron tomography. We discover a two-sided heterogeneity in variety of structural characteristics. A nearly ideal crystallographic fivefold face is always found opposite to a less ordered face, forming Janus-like icosahedral nanoparticles with two distinct hemispheres. The disordered amorphous domains release a large amount of strain. Molecular dynamics simulations further reveal the Janus-like icosahedral nanoparticles are prevalent in the MTPs formed in liquid-solid phase transition. This work provides insights on the atomistic models for the modelling of formation mechanisms of fivefold twinned structures and computational simulations of lattice distortions and defects. We anticipate it will inspire future studies on fundamental problems such as twin boundary migration and kinetics of structures in 3D at atomic level.