A Route for Phase Control in Metal Nanoparticles: A Potential Strategy to Create Advanced Materials

There is untapped potential for materials whose crystal structures are unobtainable in the bulk state. Several examples of such structures have been found in nanomaterials, and these materials exhibit unique properties that arise from their unique electronic states and surface structures. Here, recent developments in the syntheses of these nanomaterials and their unique properties, such as hydrogen-storage ability and catalytic activity, are summarized. Firstly, the syntheses and properties of novel solid-solution alloy nanoparticles in immiscible alloy systems such as Ag-Rh and Pd-Ru are introduced. Following this, the crystal structure control of nanoscale Ru is discussed. These unique alloy materials show enhanced properties and highlight the potential of phase control to be a new strategy for nanomaterial development.