Electronic dephasing in bimetallic gold-silver nanoparticles examined by single particle spectroscopy

The scattering spectra of single gold, silver, and bimetallic gold-silver particles (both core-shell and alloyed) have been examined using dark-field microscopy. The results show that the plasmon resonances for the bimetallic particles are broader than those of the pure silver or pure gold particles. However, plots of the width of the plasmon resonance vs resonance frequency for the core-shell and alloyed samples are very similar. This implies that the broadening is due to the frequency dependence of the dielectric constants of the particles. For the core-shell particles, scattering at the interface between the two metals does not seem to be a significant effect.     

Polyelectrolyte-templated synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles

Bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) are known to exhibit enhanced optical and catalytic properties that can be optimized by tailoring NP composition, size, and morphology. Galvanic deposition of a second metal onto a primary metal NP template is a versatile method for fabricating bimetallic NPs using a scalable, solution-based synthesis. We demonstrate that the galvanic displacement reaction pathway can be controlled through appropriate surface modification of the NP template. To synthesize bimetallic Au-Ag NPs, we used colloidal Ag NPs modified by layer-by-layer (LBL) assembled polyelectrolyte layers to template the reduction of HAuCl(4). NPs terminated with positively and negatively charged polyelectrolytes yield highly contrasting morphologies and Au surface concentrations. We propose that these charged surface layers control galvanic charge transfer by controlling nucleation and diffusion at the deposition front. This surface-directed synthetic strategy can be advantageously used to tailor both overall NP morphology and Au surface concentrations.     

Microwave synthesis of core-shell gold/palladium bimetallic nanoparticles

The microwave-assisted polyol reduction method was applied to the synthesis of core-shell gold/palladium bimetallic nanoparticles by the simultaneous reduction of the AuIII and PdII ions. The thickness of the palladium shell was calculated to be approximately 3 nm, and the gold core diameter is 9 nm. The structure and composition of the bimetallic particles were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy equipped with a nanoarea energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy attachment, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.     

Colloidal synthesis and structural control of PtSn bimetallic nanoparticles

PtSn bimetallic nanoparticles with different particle sizes (1-9 nm), metal compositions (Sn content of 10-80 mol %), and organic capping agents (e.g., amine, thiol, carboxylic acid and polymer) were synthesized by colloidal chemistry methods. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements show that, depending on the particle size, the as-prepared bimetallic nanocrystals have quasi-spherical or faceted shapes. Energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analyses indicate that for all samples the signals of both Pt and Sn can be detected from single nanoparticles, confirming that the products are actually bimetallic but not only a physical mixture of pure Pt and Sn metal nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements were also conducted on the bimetallic particle systems. When compared with the diffraction patterns of monometallic Pt nanoparticles, the bimetallic samples show distinct shifts of the Bragg reflections to lower degrees, which gives clear proof of the alloying of Pt with Sn. However, a quantitative analysis of the lattice parameter shifts indicates that only part of the Sn atoms are incorporated into the alloy nanocrystals. This is consistent with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements that reveal the segregation of Sn at the surfaces of the nanocrystals. Moreover, short PtSn bimetallic nanowires were synthesized by a seed-mediated growth method with amine-capped bimetallic particles as precursors. The resulting nanowires have an average width of 2.3 nm and lengths ranging from 5 to 20 nm.     

Temperature effect on the synthesis of Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

Pt-Au bimetallic nanoparticles have been synthesized by the polyol method and stabilized with poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), modifying the temperature of synthesis. Interesting structure changes were observed in the nanoparticles as the temperature was varied. At lower temperatures no bimetallic nanoparticles were detected, but as the temperature increased bimetallic nanoparticles started to appear, commonly obtaining core-shell nanoparticles, always covered by the polymer. This originates the modification of the optical response of the system in the UV-visible region. An absorption peak centered at 520 nm at low temperatures was observed (100-110 degrees C); at higher temperatures (130-170 degrees C) there were non detectable absorption peaks, and finally at the two highest temperatures (180-190 degrees C) the reappearance of an absorption feature centered at 510 nm was noticed. These UV-visible results indirectly imply the composition of the surface of the particle. The structure of the particles has been determined using transmission electron microscopy and high-angle annular dark field (HAADF), the latter being a powerful technique to determine the structural composition of the particles and allowing a direct correlation of the optical response with their structural composition. X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) studies were also performed on the samples and their results support the idea of a Pt(core)-Au(shell) structure with the elements segregated from each other. The combination of these experimental techniques with calculated UV-vis absorption spectra allowed, in a reliable way, the elucidation of the nanoparticles structure and elemental distribution.     

Single-step synthesis of gold-silver alloy nanoparticles in ionic liquids by a sputter deposition technique

The simultaneous sputter deposition of gold and silver onto ionic liquids formed bimetallic alloy nanoparticles, which exhibited composition-sensitive surface plasmon resonance, the peak wavelength being red-shifted with an increase in the surface area of the gold foil targets sputtered.     

Dendrimer-templated Ag-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles

Ultrafine dendrimer-templated Ag-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles with various metal compositions have been prepared successfully using silver(I)-bis(oxalato)palladate(II) complex. The use of an oxalate complex, in which two metal ions exist in one complex, is found to be effective in preventing unfavorable silver halide formation and thus suitable for the formation of Ag-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles.     

The synthesis of mesoporous silicates containing bimetallic nanoparticles and magnetic properties of PtCo nanoparticles in silica

Using a one-pot approach employing true liquid crystal templating on neutral surfactants and simple metal salt precursors, mesostructured, mesoporous silicates have been prepared in which bimetallic nanoparticles are deposited; magnetic properties of PtCo systems so prepared are evaluated.     

Sonoelectrochemical synthesis of spike-like gold-silver alloy nanoparticles from bulk substrates and the application on surface-enhanced Raman scattering

The synthesis of non-spherical spike-like gold-silver alloy nanoparticles on platinum substrates was first developed by sonoelectrochemical methods in this study. First, a silver substrate was roughened by a triangular-wave oxidation-reduction cycle (ORC) in an aqueous solution containing 0.1 M HCl. Silver-containing complexes were found in the solution after the ORC treatment. Then a gold substrate was subsequently roughened by the similar ORC treatment in the same silver complexes-containing solution. After this procedure, Au- and Ag-containing complexes were left in the solution. Subsequently, the Au working electrode was immediately replaced by a Pt electrode. A cathodic overpotential was applied under controlled sonication and slight stirring to synthesize Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles on the Pt substrate. Encouragingly, the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) of Rhodamine 6G on the Au-Ag alloy nanoparticles-deposited Pt substrate exhibits a higher intensity by eight-fold of magnitude and a better resolution, as compared to that obtained on the Au nanoparticles-deposited Pt substrate.     

Sonochemically prepared platinum-ruthenium bimetallic nanoparticles

Colloidal bimetallic nanoparticles of Pt-Ru have been synthesized by sonochemical reduction of Pt(II) and Ru(III) in aqueous solutions. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) images indicate that sequential reduction of the Pt(II) followed by the Ru(III) produces particles with a core shell (Pt@Ru) morphology. In the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS, as a stabilizer, the particles have diameters between 5 and 10 nm. When polyvinyl-2-pyrrolidone, PVP, is used as the stabilizer, the rate of reduction is much faster, giving ultrasmall bimetallic particles of approximately 5 nm diameter.     

Composite surfactants aided solvothermal synthesis and catalytic hydrogenation property of oil soluble bimetallic CoMoS nanoparticles

Oil-soluble bimetallic CoMoS nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a composite-surfactants-aided-solvothermal process. The surface hydrophilicity and functionality of the products were investigated through transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, and Ultraviolet (UV) spectra analysis. The catalytic performance of hydrogenation on the CoMoS nanoparticles was studied with naphthalene as a model compound. It was found that CoMoS catalysts supported on active carbon (AC) was more active than conventional MoS2/γ-Al2O3. The activity of CoMoS/AC can be tailored through the change of the Co/(Co+Mo) atomic ratio.     

高活性甲醇氧化电催化剂Pt-Pd纳米合金的组分可控合成

Pt纳米粒子由于其本身独特的物理、化学性质以及能够同时促进氧化和还原反应,在工业生产和商业设备中(尤其在直接甲醇燃料电池中)广泛用作重要的电催化剂.然而,Pt作为贵金属在自然界中的含量极其稀少,价格昂贵;另外,甲醇氧化反应中产生的中间产物CO很容易市Pt纳米粒子中毒而失活.因此,迫切需要一种Pt用量少,催化性能高的材料.一制备高活性比表面积的Pt纳米颗粒,可以有效提高Pt利用率.另外,调控纳米粒子使其裸露特定的晶面、边、角以及缺陷也能有效提升催化性能.还可以采用Pt纳米粒子结合其它金属元素形成双金属合金,如,Pt-M (M = Pd,Au,Ag,Ru,Fe,Co,Ni,等)催化剂,可以在减少Pt元素用量的同时有效提升催化活性.在众多可供选择的元素中,Pd相对于Pt价格低廉,但两者具有相近的物理、化学性质以及较高的电催化性能,使Pt-Pd纳米合金呈现十分优异的电催化性能.研究表明,Pt-Pd纳米合金在酸性和CO环境中能有效催化有机小分子电氧化过程.另外,在酸性环境中,用Pd替代Cu,Ag,Co或Ni,可以有效减少催化剂的腐蚀.本文在乙二醇溶液中同时还原K2PtCl4和Na2PdCl4,在110 ℃C反应5 h制备出超细的Pt-Pd纳米合金.通过X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)以及能谱仪(EDS)对合金进行表征,从而确定产物为尺寸4 nm左右的Pt-Pd纳米合金,且通过改变金属前驱体的投料比可以有效调控Pt-Pd合金组分(按元素比例分别表示为Pt1Pd3,Pt1Pd1,Pt3Pd1).采用循环伏安法、线性扫描伏安法以及计时安培法等多种手段测试样品在0.5 mol/L H2SO4和0.5 mol/L CH3OH的酸性环境中(50 mV/s)电化学性能,并与商业Pt/C进行比较.结果表明,合金的催化性能和组分密切相关,当Pt元素的含量为75%左右时,Pt-Pd纳米合金表现出最佳的催化活性和稳定性,其中Pt3Pd1的电催化质量活性可达商业Pt/C的7倍之多.我们把Pt-Pd纳米合金的催化性能对其组分的依赖性归结为甲醇氧化反应中的双官能团机制,反应中,Pt可有效催化甲醇脱氢产生Pt-CO,Pd则催化水脱氢形成Pd-OH.当Pd含量减少时,Pt表面的水脱氢反应只有在高电位才能发生,从而降低催化效率;而Pd含量过多,则会抑制Pt催化甲醇的脱氢反应,使催化效率大大降低.因此,只有适宜Pt/Pd比例,才能有效提升催化效率.     

Efficient eco-friendly approach towards bimetallic nanoparticles synthesis and characterization using Exiguobacterium aestuarii by statistical optimization

ABSTRACT

Biogenic synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles (gold – AuNp and selenium – SeNp) using inexpensive Tryptophan Enriched Banana Peel Media for the growth of marine isolate (Exiguobacterium aestuarii SBG4 MH185868). The response surface methodology is employed for optimizing production conditions. The surface plasmon resonance band showed λ_max at 540?nm (AuNp) and 284?nm (SeNp). FTIR and zeta potential analysis confirmed the stability, whereas XRD spectra revealed the nature of nanoparticles obtained at optimum conditions. SEM micrographs showed nanospheres of the following size: AuN, 30?±?5 nm and SeNp, 50?±?5 nm. Biocompatibility of Np evaluated by the hemolytic activity showed <20% hemolysis even at highest concentrations (100?µg/ml). AuNp showed the least cytotoxicity, whereas SeNp showed considerable cytotoxicity against the breast cancer cell lines MCF – 7 and MDA-MB-231. Hence, we utilized the environment-friendly growth media for the controlled synthesis of dual Np using single bacterial strain involving feasible steps in downstream processing.     

Synthesis and catalytic activity of gold-silver binary nanoparticles stabilized by PAMAM dendrimer

Gold-silver binary nanoparticles, which feed atomic ratios of gold to silver were 3:1, 1:1, and 1:3, were prepared. These particles were stabilized by amine-terminated (generation (G) 3.0 and 5.0) and carboxyl-terminated (G 3.5 and 5.5) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers in water. UV-vis spectra indicate that the particles are not mere physical mixtures of monometallic particles or core/shell type but alloy. According to transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation, the mean diameters of the particles were 7-10 nm for silver particles and 3-4 nm for both gold and alloy particles, respectively. Catalytic activities for reduction of p-nitrophenol were investigated by monitoring the absorbance at 400 nm during the reaction. They were proportional to the feed ratio of gold in the particles and showed a maximum at the ratio of Au:Ag=3:1.     

Local structural characterization of Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

In this study, we examined the amount-dependent change in morphology for a series of Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles synthesized using chemical reduction. The Au/Pt molar ratio was varied from 1/1 to 1/4 to synthesize Pt shell layers with different thicknesses. We have obtained that these bimetallic nanoparticles can form flower-like nanoparticles. Moreover, an extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) analysis was used to demonstrate the structure of Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles. The EXAFS results confirmed the formation of a core–shell structure and inter-diffusion between Au and Pt atoms. The composition of the shell layer was found to be Pt-enriched Au/Pt alloy.     

Vibrational modes of metal nanoshells and bimetallic core-shell nanoparticles

We theoretically study the spectrum of radial vibrational modes in composite metal nanostructures such as bimetallic core-shell particles and metal nanoshells with dielectric core in an environment. We calculate frequencies and damping rates of fundamental (breathing) modes for these nanostructures along with those of two higher-order modes. For metal nanoshells, we find that the breathing mode frequency is always lower than the one for solid particles of the same size, while the damping is higher and increases with a reduction in the shell thickness. We identify two regimes that can be characterized as weakly damped and overdamped vibrations in the presence of external medium. For bimetallic particles, we find periodic dependence of frequency and damping rate on the shell thickness with period being determined by the mode number. For both types of nanostructures, the frequency of higher modes is nearly independent of the environment, while the damping rate shows a strong sensitivity to the outside medium.     

Seed-mediated growth of large,monodisperse core-shell gold-silver nanoparticles with Ag-like optical properties

Large, monodisperse core-shell Au-Ag nanoparticles with Ag-like optical properties have been prepared by the seeding growth method in micellar media.     

Facile synthesis of gold-silver nanocages with controllable pores on the surface

Gold-silver alloy nanocages with controllable pores on the surface have been synthesized via galvanic replacement reaction between truncated Ag nanocubes and aqueous HAuCl4. Unlike in the previous studies, the initiation of replacement reaction started in a controllable way, simultaneously from eight corners of the truncated Ag nanocubes where {111} facets were exposed. The formation of cubic nanocages with pores at all the corners was determined by the capping agent, poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), which preferentially covered the {100} facets of a truncated Ag nanocube.     

Electrooxidation of hydroquinone on simply prepared Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

A facile method was used to prepare gold-platinum (Au-Pt) catalysts by direct electrodeposition via cyclic voltammetry in an acidic medium. Various parameters that affect the properties of electrodeposited catalysts were investigated such as initial applied potential, scan rate and deposition time. Initial applied potential plays a more important role in the preparation of bimetallic nanoparticles (AuPtNPs) since the kinetics of electrodeposition is in competition with the rate of hydrogen evolution. The AuPtNPs electrodeposited on pencil graphite (PG) were used to study the electrooxidation of hydroquinone. Various parameters such as pH, scan rate, concentration of hydroquinone and temperature were studied in the electrooxidation process. Apparent activation energy (E _a) for the electrooxidation of hydroquinone, calculated from the Arrhenius plot, shows that AuPtNPs catalysts (electrodeposited on the PG) offer less activation energy (ca. 9.500 kJ mol^?1) than the bare PG (ca. 10.345 kJ mol^?1). The AuPtNPs/PG shows better catalytic performance than the PG electrode due to the greater surface area it provides, thus resulting in more active sites available for adsorption of hydroquinone molecules on the surface of the catalyst.