New insights on the Au(core)/Pt(shell) nanoparticle structure in the sub-monolayer range: SERS as a surface analyzing...

Area of Science:

• Nanomaterials Science
• Surface Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Background:

• Core-shell nanoparticles, such as gold-platinum (Au@Pt) nanostructures, are crucial in catalysis and electronics.
• Understanding the precise structural evolution during synthesis is key to controlling nanoparticle properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the nanoscale structural evolution of Au@Pt core-shell nanoparticles.
• To elucidate the templating effect of gold on platinum phase formation at the sub-monolayer level.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) as a primary surface analysis technique.
• Employing advanced spectroscopic methods to probe atomic-level structural details.

Main Results:

• SERS provided high-resolution insights into the core-shell structural development.
• Demonstrated the significant templating role of underlying gold atoms on the platinum nanoscale phase structure.
• Observed structural templating effects even at sub-monolayer coverages of platinum.

Conclusions:

• Gold atoms act as effective templates, directing the nanoscale structure of platinum shells.
• SERS is a powerful tool for characterizing surface phenomena and structural evolution in core-shell nanoparticles.
• The findings offer fundamental insights for designing tailored bimetallic nanostructures.