Fundamental understanding of the synthesis of well-defined supported non-noble metal intermetallic compound nanoparticles

Abstract

Access to well-defined, model-like, non-noble metal intermetallic compound nanomaterials (<10nm) with phase pure bulk, bulk-like 1st-atomic-layer surface composition, and unique electronic and surface chemical properties is critical for the fields...

Combinatorial neutron imaging methods for hydrogenation catalysts

“…14,15 Typical catalysts for this reaction are Ni and Cu nano-particles for methane [16][17][18] and methanol [19][20][21] synthesis, respectively, that are deposited on oxide supports such as alumina, silica and zeolites. 22,23 Hydrogen is not only reactant of the desired reaction; during reaction hydrogen may change the catalyst, promoting or inhibiting catalytic activity. 24 The modification of a catalytic system upon hydrogen exposure as typically measured by temperature programmed reduction 25 is described by the term reducibility.…”

One-Pot Size-Controlled Synthesis of Tin- and Antimony-Based Intermetallic Nanoparticles

“…Intermetallic synthesis generally requires thermal annealing of a bimetallic material to achieve ordered atomic arrangement; however, the direct “bottom-up” synthesis approach is often preferred for nanoparticles, as this avoids their uncontrolled size increase due to thermal sintering and gives better control over phase and size of the final product. − An example of this approach is a solution-phase co-reduction of two metal salts to nucleate the bimetallic phase; , however, large differences in many metals’ standard reduction potentials often make the alloy synthesis via co-reduction of their salts highly disfavored. An alternative approach involves the diffusion of a secondary metal into a pre-formed primary metal seed (the “amalgamation route”), and this approach has been widely used to produce intermetallic nanoparticles containing Sn, , Sb, Ga, Au, Pt, and Bi, , among others.…”

Enhancing Low-Temperature Syngas Production via Surface Tailoring of Supported Intermetallic Nanocatalysts

“…Recently, intermetallic compounds at the nanoscale have gained prominence as promising templates for catalyst design. − Compared to their monometallic or random alloy bimetallic counterparts, these intermetallic nanoparticles (iNPs) have superior catalytic properties. − Their ordered crystal structure and precise atomic arrangement offer a platform for surface chemistry modulation. − The benefits of iNPs include fine control of the electronic structure, specificity and orderliness of the atomic-level structures, and uniformity of the geometric and electronic structures. ,,, However, there is a considerable need for a simple and flexible method for the synthesis of ultrasmall iNPs, especially those that are adaptable to different compositions and crystal structures of intermetallic compounds. Additionally, synthesizing iNPs with specific exposed facets poses a significant challenge but could greatly benefit catalytic research.…”