Spontaneous Hetero-attachment of Single-Component Colloidal Precursors for the Synthesis of Asymmetric Au-Ag2X (X = S, Se) Heterodimers

Finding simple, easily controlled, and flexible synthetic routes for the preparation of ternary and hybrid nanostructured semiconductors is always highly desirable, especially to fulfill the requirements for mass production to enable application to many fields such as optoelectronics, thermoelectricity, and catalysis. Moreover, understanding the underlying reaction mechanisms is equally important, offering a starting point for its extrapolation from one system to another. In this work, we developed a new and more straightforward colloidal synthetic way to form hybrid Au-Ag₂X (X = S, Se) nanoparticles under mild conditions through the reaction of Au and Ag₂X nanostructured precursors in solution. At the solid-solid interface between metallic domains and the binary chalcogenide domains, a small fraction of a ternary AuAg₃X₂ phase was observed to have grown as a consequence of a solid-state electrochemical reaction, as confirmed by computational studies. Thus, the formation of stable ternary phases drives the selective hetero-attachment of Au and Ag₂X nanoparticles in solution, consolidates the interface between their domains, and stabilizes the whole hybrid Au-Ag₂X systems.

RhCu 3D Nanoframe as a Highly Active Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction under Alkaline Condition

One pot synthesis of RhCu alloy truncated octahedral nanoframes, Cu@Rh core-shell nanoparticles, and a bundle of five RhCu nanowires is demonstrated. The RhCu alloy 3D nanoframe, in particular, exhibits excellent catalytic activity toward the oxygen evolution reaction under alkaline conditions.

Use of a 4,5-dicyanoimidazolate anion based ionic liquid for the synthesis of iron and silver nanoparticles

Effects of cation and anion in the resulting ILs are influenced in the thermal transitions. Stable and better separated Fe- and Ag-NPs are obtained in newly designed nitrile functionalized 4,5-dicyanoimidazolate anion based IL.

One pot synthesis of hollow Cu-doped Ru octahedral nanocages via an in situ generated metastable Cu nanoparticle template

A facile synthetic strategy was developed for a hollow Ru octahedral nanocage via an in situ generated metastable facet-controlled Cu nanooctahedron. Co-decomposition of Cu and Ru precursors forms a metastable core-shell Cu@Ru nanoparticle, and a subsequent in situ dissolution of the core Cu phase results in a hollow octahedral Cu-doped Ru nanocage. CTAB (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) was found to effect both the formation and destabilization of the Cu template under the employed reaction conditions, which is the key requirement for one-step synthesis of hollow Cu-doped Ru nanocages. The regioselective, preferential deposition of Ru atoms on the edge and corner of the core template nanoparticle led to a structurally well-defined Cu doped-Ru octahedral nanocage.

Rationally synthesized five-fold twinned core-shell Pt3Ni@Rh nanopentagons, nanostars and nanopaddlewheels for selective reduction of a phenyl ring of phthalimide

Surface-energy fine-tuned five-fold twinned nanostructures with a core-shell Pt3Ni@Rh structural motif, namely, a core-shell Pt3Ni@Rh pentagon, a core-shell Pt3Ni@Rh starfish, and a paddlewheel with a Pt3Ni crankshaft and two Rh five-fold starfish wheels, are prepared by rationally designed stepwise heteroepitaxial growth. Unusual selective hydrogenation of the phenyl ring in phthalimide is accomplished with moderately active core-shell Pt3Ni@Rh pentagons and starfish-like nanoparticles. The most active paddlewheel structure proceeds to further reduce one carbonyl group, indicating the sequential nature of phthalimide reduction by Rh nanoparticle catalysis.

Axially twinned nanodumbbell with a Pt bar and two Rh@Pt balls designed for high catalytic activity

A fail-proof synthetic strategy has been developed for a multiply twinned dumbbell-shaped Rh@Pt nanostructure, which exhibits a superior electrocatalytic activity for methanol oxidation reaction. The unusually high electrocatalytic activity has been attributed to the synergistic effects of crystal twinning and core-shell structure.