Abstract
A comparative study on different bimetallic nanocatalysts prepared from microemulsions using a one-pot method has been carried out. The analysis of experimental observations, complemented by simulation studies, provides detailed insight into the factors affecting nanoparticle architecture: (1) The metal segregation in a bimetallic nanocatalysts is the result of the combination of three main kinetic parameters: the reduction rate of metal precursors (related to reduction standard potentials), the material intermicellar exchange rate (determined by microemulsion composition), and the metal precursors concentration; (2) A minimum difference between the reduction standard potentials of the two metals of 0.20 V is needed to obtain a core-shell structure. For values ∆ε0 smaller than 0.20 V the obtaining of alloys cannot be avoided, neither by changing the microemulsion nor by increasing metal concentration; (3) As a rule, the higher the film flexibility around the micelles, the higher the degree of mixture in the nanocatalyst; (4) A minimum concentration of metal precursors is required to get a core-shell structure. This minimum concentration depends on the microemulsion flexibility and on the difference in reduction rates.
Highlights
IntroductionObtaining nanoparticles is currently a very active research field with a wide variety of technical applications in catalysis [1,2,3], photonics [4], and energy conversion and storage devices [5,6,7]
Obtaining nanoparticles is currently a very active research field with a wide variety of technical applications in catalysis [1,2,3], photonics [4], and energy conversion and storage devices [5,6,7].The applications of nanoparticles are expected to improve many fields of advanced materials.1.1
One of the main advantages of this method is that nanoparticle size can be directly controlled by the water/surfactant ratio. Another advantage of the microemulsion route is that nanoparticles can be synthesized at room temperature, and surfactants around the particles can be removed with ease
Summary
Obtaining nanoparticles is currently a very active research field with a wide variety of technical applications in catalysis [1,2,3], photonics [4], and energy conversion and storage devices [5,6,7]. The applications of nanoparticles are expected to improve many fields of advanced materials
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