Issue 22, 2023

Compositional tuning of gas-phase synthesized Pd–Cu nanoparticles

Abstract

Bimetallic nanoparticles have gained significant attention in catalysis as potential alternatives to expensive catalysts based on noble metals. In this study, we investigate the compositional tuning of Pd–Cu bimetallic nanoparticles using a physical synthesis method called spark ablation. By utilizing pure and alloyed electrodes in different configurations, we demonstrate the ability to tailor the chemical composition of nanoparticles within the range of approximately 80 : 20 at% to 40 : 60 at% (Pd : Cu), measured using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and transmission electron microscopy energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (TEM-EDXS). Time-resolved XRF measurements revealed a shift in composition throughout the ablation process, potentially influenced by material transfer between electrodes. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed the predominantly fcc phase of the nanoparticles while high-resolution TEM and scanning TEM-EDXS confirmed the mixing of Pd and Cu within individual nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron and absorption spectroscopy were used to analyze the outermost atomic layers of the nanoparticles, which is highly important for catalytic applications. Such comprehensive analyses offer insights into the formation and structure of bimetallic nanoparticles and pave the way for the development of efficient and affordable catalysts for various applications.

Graphical abstract: Compositional tuning of gas-phase synthesized Pd–Cu nanoparticles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
21 Jun 2023
Accepted
05 Sep 2023
First published
06 Sep 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Nanoscale Adv., 2023,5, 6069-6077

Compositional tuning of gas-phase synthesized Pd–Cu nanoparticles

S. M. Franzén, L. Jönsson, P. Ternero, M. Kåredal, A. C. Eriksson, S. Blomberg, J. Hübner and M. E. Messing, Nanoscale Adv., 2023, 5, 6069 DOI: 10.1039/D3NA00438D

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