Shape control of bimetallic nanocatalysts through well-designed colloidal chemistry approaches

Abstract

Synthesis of bimetallic nanomaterials with well controlled shape is an important topic in heterogeneous catalysis, low-temperature fuel cell technology, and many other fields. Compared with monometallic counterparts, bimetallic nanocatalysts endow scientists with more opportunities to optimize the catalytic performance by modulating the charge transfer between different metals, local coordination environment, lattice strain and surface element distribution. Considering the current challenges in shape controlled synthesis of bimetallic nanocatalysts, this tutorial review highlights some significant achievements in preparing bimetallic alloy, core-shell and heterostructure nanocrystals with well-defined morphologies, summarizes four general routes and some key factors of the bimetallic shape control scenarios, and provides some general ideas on how to design synthetic strategies to control the shape and exposing facets of bimetallic nanocrystals. The composition and shape dependent catalytic behaviours of bimetallic nanocrystals are reviewed as well.

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

“…Nanoparticle structure engineering has been extensively studied in recent years for the development of active nanocatalysts in energy conversion technologies such as fuel cells 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. A great improvement in this area has been feasible with facet‐controlled nanoparticles and core–shell nanoparticles with lattice mismatch, which enables surface‐energy modulations 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17.…”

Nanocatalysis I: Synthesis of Metal and Bimetallic Nanoparticles and Porous Oxides and Their Catalytic Reaction Studies

“…For this purpose, noble nanoparticle catalysts are developed by colloidal synthetic techniques and many reaction studies exhibit enhancement of reaction rates and change of selectivities with the optimum nanoparticle size and shape. Bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts, by alloying two metals, create new chemical and catalytic properties, which cannot be achieved by their parent single metal nanoparticles [5,6]. High surface porous materials have also been developed as a support as well as a catalyst [7,8].…”

Bimetallic AuRh nanodendrites consisting of Au icosahedron cores and atomically ultrathin Rh nanoplate shells: synthesis and light-enhanced catalytic activity

“…10,11 Consequently, bimetallic noble metal nanodendrites have a broad variety of applications, ranging from organic synthesis to energy conversion. 12,13 Among various bimetallic nanostructures, Au-based core-shell-type noble metal nanostructures have been widely employed in various important heterogeneous catalytic reactions, especially in lightenhanced catalytic reactions, originating from the high mass activity of noble metal shells and the distinctive localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of Au nanocrystal cores. [14][15][16][17] In most bimetallic core-shell nanodendrites, the metal shells consist of spherical nanocrystals.…”