Core@shell bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis via anion coordination

Abstract

Core@shell structured bimetallic nanoparticles are currently of immense interest due to their unique electronic, optical and catalytic properties. However, their synthesis is non-trivial. We report a new supramolecular route for the synthesis of core@shell nanoparticles, based on an anion coordination protocol—the first to function by binding the shell metal to the surface of the pre-formed primary metal core before reduction. The resultant gold/palladium and platinum/palladium core@shell nanoparticles have been characterized by aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy (as well as other techniques), giving striking atomic-resolution images of the core@shell architecture, and the unique catalytic properties of the structured nanoparticles have been demonstrated in a remarkable improvement of the selective production of industrially valuable chloroaniline from chloronitrobenzene. Bimetallic core@shell nanoparticles often have properties that are different from those of single-metal or alloy nanoparticles. Here, a route to such nanoparticles that binds the second metal to the core surface prior to reduction is described. The unique catalytic properties of the nanoparticles are demonstrated in the selective production of chloroaniline.

Cite this article

Serpell, C., Cookson, J., Ozkaya, D. et al. Core@shell bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis via anion coordination. Nature Chem 3, 478–483 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/nchem.1030

View full text

>> Full Text:   Core@shell bimetallic nanoparticle synthesis via anion coordination