Catalytic properties of Fe Pd ferromagnetic nanowires at liquid/liquid interfaces

Recent progress on the synthesis of metal alloy nanowires as electrocatalysts

Benefiting from both one-dimensional (1D) morphology and alloy composition, metal alloy nanowires have been exploited as advanced electrocatalysts in various electrochemical processes. In this review, the synthesis approaches for metal alloy nanowires are classified into two categories: direct syntheses and syntheses based on preformed 1D nanostructures. Ligand systems that are of critical importance to the formation of alloy nanowires are summarized and reviewed, together with the strategies imposed to achieve the co-reduction of different metals. Meanwhile, different scenarios that form alloy nanowires from pre-synthesized 1D nanostructures are compared and contrasted. In addition, the characterization and electrocatalytic applications of metal alloy nanowires are briefly discussed.

Electrochemical Synthesis, Magnetic and Optical Characterisation of FePd Dense and Mesoporous Nanowires

Dense and mesoporous FePd nanowires (NWs) with 45 to 60 at.% Pd content were successfully fabricated by template- and micelle-assisted pulsed potentiostatic electrodeposition using nanoporous anodic alumina and polycarbonate templates of varying pore sizes. An FePd electrolyte was utilized for obtaining dense NWs while a block copolymer, P-123, was added to this electrolyte as the micelle-forming surfactant to produce mesoporous NWs. The structural and magnetic properties of the NWs were investigated by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and vibrating sample magnetometry. The as-prepared NWs were single phase with a face-centered cubic structure exhibiting 3.1 µm to 7.1 µm of length. Mesoporous NWs revealed a core-shell structure where the porosity was only witnessed in the internal volume of the NW while the outer surface remained non-porous. Magnetic measurements revealed that the samples displayed a soft ferromagnetic behavior that depended on the shape anisotropy and the interwire dipolar interactions. The mesoporous core and dense shell structure of the NWs were seen to be slightly affecting the magnetic properties. Moreover, mesoporous NWs performed excellently as SERS substrates for the detection of 4,4'-bipyridine, showing a low detection limit of 10^-12 M. The signal enhancement can be attributed to the mesoporous morphology as well as the close proximity of the embedded NWs being conducive to localized surface plasmon resonance.

Morphological and Structural Transformations of Fe-Pd Powder Alloys Formed by Galvanic Replacement, Annealing and Acid Treatment

In this article, we report the preparation and structural features of Fe-Pd powder alloys formed by galvanic replacement, annealing and selective dissolution of iron via acid treatment. The alloys were studied by the X-ray diffraction phase analysis, Mössbauer spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The Fe@Pd core–shell particles were obtained by a galvanic replacement reaction occurring upon treatment of a body-centered cubic (bcc) iron powder by a solution containing PdCl₄²⁻ ions. It was found that the shells are a face-centered cubic (fcc) Pd(Fe) solid solution. HCl acid treatment of the Fe@Pd core–shell particles resulted in the formation of hollow Pd-based particles, as the bcc phase was selectively dissolved from the cores. Annealing of the Fe@Pd core–shell particles at 800 °C led to the formation of fcc Fe-Pd solid solution. Acid treatment of the Fe-Pd alloys formed by annealing of the core–shell particles allowed selectively dissolving iron from the bcc Fe-based phase (Fe(Pd) solid solution), while the fcc Fe-rich Fe-Pd solid solution remained stable (resistant to acid corrosion). It was demonstrated that the phase composition and the Fe/Pd ratio in the alloys (phases) can be tailored by applying annealing and/or acid treatment to the as-synthesized Fe@Pd core–shell particles.

FePd nanowires modified with cyclodextrin as improved catalysts: effect of the alloy composition on colloidal stability and catalytic capacity

FePd nanowires of different compositions are thoroughly characterized and assessed as catalysts for the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol.

Liquid-liquid interfaces: a unique and advantageous environment to prepare and process thin films of complex materials

Thin film technology is pervasive for many fields with high impact in our daily lives, which makes processing materials such as thin films a very important subject in materials science and technology. However, several paramount materials cannot be prepared as thin films through the well-known and consolidated deposition routes, which strongly limits their applicability. This is particularly noticeable for multi-component and complex nanocomposites, which present unique properties due to the synergic effect between the components, but have several limitations to be obtained as thin films, mainly if homogeneity and transparence are required. This review highlights the main advances of a novel approach to both process and synthesize different classes of materials as thin films, based on liquid/liquid interfaces. The so-called liquid/liquid interfacial route (LLIR) allows the deposition of thin films of single- or multi-component materials, easily transferable over any kind of substrate (plastics and flexible substrates included) with precise control of the thickness, homogeneity and transparence. More interesting, it allows the in situ synthesis of multi-component materials directly as thin films stabilized at the liquid/liquid interface, in which problems related to both the synthesis and processing are solved together in a single step. This review presents the basis of the LLIR and several examples of thin films obtained from different classes of materials, such as carbon nanostructures, metal and oxide nanoparticles, two-dimensional materials, organic and organometallic frameworks, and polymer-based nanocomposites, among others. Moreover, specific applications of those films in different technological fields are shown, taking advantage of the specific properties emerging from the unique preparation route.

Recent Advances in Nanoporous Anodic Alumina: Principles, Engineering, and Applications

The development of aluminum anodization technology features many stages. With the story stretching for almost a century, rather straightforward-from current perspective-technology, raised into an iconic nanofabrication technique. The intrinsic properties of alumina porous structures constitute the vast utility in distinct fields. Nanoporous anodic alumina can be a starting point for: Templates, photonic structures, membranes, drug delivery platforms or nanoparticles, and more. Current state of the art would not be possible without decades of consecutive findings, during which, step by step, the technique was more understood. This review aims at providing an update regarding recent discoveries-improvements in the fabrication technology, a deeper understanding of the process, and a practical application of the material-providing a narrative supported with a proper background.

Structural, Wetting and Magnetic Properties of Sputtered Fe70Pd30 Thin Film with Nanostructured Surface Induced by Dealloying Process

FePd alloys in the thin film form represent a multipurpose and versatile material with relevant chemical and physical properties studied in different research fields. Moreover, the ability to manipulate and fine-tune the film surface with nanometric scale precision represents a degree of freedom useful to adapt these thin film properties to the demands of different desired applications. In this manuscript, Fe₇₀Pd₃₀ (at. %) thin films are prepared with a thickness of 50 and 200 nm by means of the widely used co-sputtering deposition technique. Subsequently, selective removal of the iron element from the alloy and the consequent surface diffusion of the palladium was induced by a dealloying treatment under free corrosion conditions in hydrochloric acid. The size and shape of the grains of the as-deposited thin films determine the dissolution rate of the iron element with a direct consequence not only on the surface morphology and the stoichiometry of the alloy but also on the wetting and magnetic properties of the sample. X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) images, contact angle and magnetic measurements have been performed to provide a thorough characterisation of the fundamental properties of these nanostructured bimetallic thin films.

Structural and Magnetic Properties of FePd Thin Film Synthesized by Electrodeposition Method

Bimetallic nanomaterials in the form of thin film constituted by magnetic and noble elements show promising properties in different application fields such as catalysts and magnetic driven applications. In order to tailor the chemical and physical properties of these alloys to meet the applications requirements, it is of great importance scientific interest to study the interplay between properties and morphology, surface properties, microstructure, spatial confinement and magnetic features. In this manuscript, FePd thin films are prepared by electrodeposition which is a versatile and widely used technique. Compositional, morphological, surface and magnetic properties are described as a function of deposition time (i.e., film thickness). Chemical etching in hydrochloric acid was used to enhance the surface roughness and help decoupling crystalline grains with direct consequences on to the magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction, SEM/AFM images, contact angle and magnetic measurements have been carried out with the aim of providing a comprehensive characterisation of the fundamental properties of these bimetallic thin films.