Probing compositional variation within hybrid nanostructures

We present a detailed analysis of the structural and magnetic properties of solution-grown PtCo-CdS hybrid structures in comparison to similar free-standing PtCo alloy nanoparticles. X-ray absorption spectroscopy is utilized as a sensitive probe for identifying subtle differences in the structure of the hybrid materials. We found that the growth of bimetallic tips on a CdS nanorod substrate leads to a more complex nanoparticle structure composed of a PtCo alloy core and thin CoO shell. The core-shell architecture is an unexpected consequence of the different nanoparticle growth mechanism on the nanorod tip, as compared to free growth in solution. Magnetic measurements indicate that the PtCo-CdS hybrid structures are superparamagnetic despite the presence of a CoO shell. The use of X-ray spectroscopic techniques to detect minute differences in atomic structure and bonding in complex nanosystems makes it possible to better understand and predict catalytic or magnetic properties for nanoscale bimetallic hybrid materials.

Towards a definition of inorganic nanoparticles from an environmental, health and safety perspective

The regulation of engineered nanoparticles requires a widely agreed definition of such particles. Nanoparticles are routinely defined as particles with sizes between about 1 and 100 nm that show properties that are not found in bulk samples of the same material. Here we argue that evidence for novel size-dependent properties alone, rather than particle size, should be the primary criterion in any definition of nanoparticles when making decisions about their regulation for environmental, health and safety reasons. We review the size-dependent properties of a variety of inorganic nanoparticles and find that particles larger than about 30 nm do not in general show properties that would require regulatory scrutiny beyond that required for their bulk counterparts.

CO oxidation over AuPd(100) from ultrahigh vacuum to near-atmospheric pressures: the critical role of contiguous Pd atoms

It is demonstrated that gas-phase CO pressure higher than approximately 0.1 Torr is required to segregate a sufficient amount of Pd to the surface of a well-annealed AuPd(100) sample to form contiguous Pd sites. These contiguous sites are critical in dissociating O(2) for low-temperature CO oxidation, where CO chemisorbed on Au sites clearly participates in the reaction at temperatures below approximately 400 K. Measured reaction kinetics demonstrates that the higher reaction rate is achieved on a surface with higher coverages of contiguous Pd sites.