A balancing act: manipulating reactivity of shape-controlled metal nanocatalysts through bimetallic architecture
- Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States). Dept. of Chemistry
Manipulating the electronic structure of metal nanocrystals is one way of altering their catalytic activities. This ability is demonstrated by introducing a Au interior to shape-controlled Pd nanocrystals, producing core@shell Au@Pd nanoparticles with varying shell thicknesses. As revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the electronic structure of the Pd shell depends on its thickness. These core@shell nanocrystals were used to catalyze two model reactions: selective hydrogenation of 2-hexyne and oxidation of formic acid, where different reactivities were found also as a function of shell thickness. The comparison of particles with varying bimetallic architecture but identical geometric features provides insight into how electronic regulation in a catalytic reaction can be achieved. Finally, it is concluded that a balance in binding interaction between the molecular substrate and catalyst surface is necessary to design an efficient catalyst and can be achieved with shape-controlled core@shell nanocrystals.
- Research Organization:
- Indiana Univ., Bloomington, IN (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES); National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0010489; 1126394
- OSTI ID:
- 1482346
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Materials Chemistry. A, Vol. 4, Issue 18; ISSN 2050-7488
- Publisher:
- Royal Society of ChemistryCopyright Statement
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Web of Science
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