Ligand-manipulated selective transformations of Au–Ni bimetallic heteronanostructures in an organic medium

Abstract

Here we demonstrated that Au can be more reactive than Ni in Au/Ni heteronanostructures and be etched out first by oxidization with HAuCl₄. Ligands were proven to determine the conversion pathways and structures of final products. These abnormal ligand-manipulated redox reactions may provide more possibilities for the chemical transformation of existing nanostructures into more complex ones.