Tracking atomic-scale interdiffusion in immiscible bimetallic nanoparticles via four-dimensional electron tomography

Abstract: The interdiffusion of immiscible elements is generally considered both thermodynamically unfavorable and kinetically hindered. At the nanoscale, however, the mixing behavior of multielements materials often diverges from bulk equilibrium, yet a quantitative, atomically resolved description of this transformation has remained challenging. Using ex situ four dimensional atomic resolution electron tomography combined with in situ scanning transmission electron microscopy, here we reveal the atomic scale miscible transition driven by interdiffusion in immiscible PdIr nanoparticles at temperatures far below the melting point. The pathway involves surface reconstruction atom hopping at 200oC and surface flattening at 300oC, followed by a critical transition at 400oC where Ir interfacial diffusion and discrete Ir intermediates drive miscible intermixing. Upon reaching the nanoscale melting point 900oC, collective inward Ir diffusion yields the thermodynamically stable IrPd configuration. Our findings provide quantitative atomic scale insights into how metastable nanostructures evolve through distinct intermediates, offering a design framework for advanced multielement materials.