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Deciphering the Surface Composition and the Internal Structure of Alloyed Silver-Gold Nanoparticles
Viktoria Grasmik1, Christian Rurainsky2, Kateryna Loza1
1Inorganic Chemistry and Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE), University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5-7, 45117, Essen, Germany.
Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|March 10, 2018
Summary
This study analyzed bimetallic silver-gold nanoparticles, finding they form an alloy with a silver-enriched surface. Techniques like cyclic voltammetry confirmed the surface composition consists solely of silver atoms.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Physical Chemistry
Background:
- Bimetallic nanoparticles offer tunable properties compared to monometallic ones.
- Understanding the surface composition and structure of silver-gold (AgAu) nanoparticles is crucial for their applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize spherical AgAu bimetallic nanoparticles with varying molar ratios (30:70, 50:50, 70:30) and sizes (30-40 nm).
- To investigate the elemental distribution and surface properties of these nanoparticles.
Main Methods:
- Size determination using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS).
- Composition analysis via cyclic voltammetry (CV), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and UV/Vis spectroscopy.
- Surface characterization using underpotential deposition (UPD) of lead (Pb).
- Morphological and structural analysis with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD).
Main Results:
- AgAu nanoparticles form a solid solution (alloy).
- A significant enrichment of silver was observed on the nanoparticle surface, with some silver-rich patches.
- Underpotential deposition (UPD) studies confirmed that the nanoparticle surface exclusively consists of silver atoms.
Conclusions:
- The surface of AgAu bimetallic nanoparticles is predominantly silver.
- The applied analytical techniques provide comprehensive insights into the composition, structure, and surface properties of nanoalloys.
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