Bimetallic Nanocrystals: Structure, Controllable Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis, Energy and Sensing

Abstract

In recent years, bimetallic nanocrystals have attracted great interest from many researchers. Bimetallic nanocrystals are expected to exhibit improved physical and chemical properties due to the synergistic effect between the two metals, not just a combination of two monometallic properties. More importantly, the properties of bimetallic nanocrystals are significantly affected by their morphology, structure, and atomic arrangement. Reasonable regulation of these parameters of nanocrystals can effectively control their properties and enhance their practicality in a given application. This review summarizes some recent research progress in the controlled synthesis of shape, composition and structure, as well as some important applications of bimetallic nanocrystals. We first give a brief introduction to the development of bimetals, followed by the architectural diversity of bimetallic nanocrystals. The most commonly used and typical synthesis methods are also summarized, and the possible morphologies under different conditions are also discussed. Finally, we discuss the composition-dependent and shape-dependent properties of bimetals in terms of highlighting applications such as catalysis, energy conversion, gas sensing and bio-detection applications.

Multimode Electron Tomography Sheds Light on Synthesis, Structure, and Properties of Complex Metal‐Based Nanoparticles

“…Alternatively, a stepwise synthetic strategy starting with a monometallic core followed by overgrowth with a secondary element can yield superior control over the final NP composition. [ 95–98 ]…”

“…Alternatively, a stepwise synthetic strategy starting with a monometallic core followed by overgrowth with a secondary element can yield superior control over the final NP composition. [95][96][97][98] Blommaerts et al investigated the extent of alloying within AuAg NPs prepared by the Turkevich method using EDXS tomography. [99] The Turkevich method is based upon the coreduction of Ag and Au salts by citrate ions and the elemental distribution within the resulting nanoparticles is still a topic of debate, with some bulk phase analysis suggesting a completely disordered alloy structure [100] whereas others reported a core@shell distribution of the elements.…”

Bimetallic Nanomaterials-Based Electrochemical Biosensor Platforms for Clinical Applications

“…Bimetallic alloy nanomaterials are composed of two or more different metals. Bimetallic nanomaterials are considered more effective than monometallic counterparts because of their synergistic characteristics [23,29]. Due to the exclusive structure, it possesses several outstanding properties such as faster electron transportation, a higher specific surface area, and superior biocompatibility, which result in favorable applications in electrochemical biosensors [40].…”

“…However, these metallic nanomaterials play different roles in various electrochemical biosensing systems based on their exclusive properties with their functions of immobilization of biomolecules, catalysis of electrochemical reactions, enhancement of electron transfer process, labeling biomolecules and acting as reactants [15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22]. Interestingly, bimetallic nanoparticles are a promising new class of nanomaterials to meet increasing catalytic and sensor industrial demand for optimized catalysts for several electrochemical reactions [23][24][25]. Bimetallic nanoparticles act as a multifunctional platform because their properties are dependent on the composition, size, and shape, so their synthetic approaches and technological applications have fascinated many researchers [26][27][28][29].…”

Non-crystal-RuOx/crystalline-ZnO composites: controllable synthesis and high-performance toxic gas sensors

“…3,17,18 Simultaneously, the construction of metal catalysts at the atomic level also becomes an effective and successful strategy to further improve the catalytic performance of metal catalysts because the adsorption/desorption of gas-sensitive reactions depends largely on the surface structure of the catalysts. [19][20][21] In particular, amorphous materials possess a special disordered atomic structure with the lack of long-range rotational and translational symmetry. [22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In addition, the amorphous structure with an intrinsic distortion-strain effect is benecial for achieving high conductivity and sensitivity of MOSs, which endows amorphous metal catalysts with a widespread application potential in the eld of sensors.…”