Synthesis and ultrastructure of bimetallic nanoparticles

Matthias Epple, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Oleg Prymak, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Kateryna Loza, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Viktoria Grasmik, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Kevin Pappert, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Alexander Rostek, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
Marina Breisch, University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Christina Sengstock, University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Manfred Köller, University of Bochum, Bochum, Germany
Marc Heggen, Ernst-Ruska Center, Jülich, Germany
Cristiano Oliveira, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Paulo Ricardo Garcia, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Metallic nanoparticles are of high interest in modern materials science due to their specific optical, catalytic, and biomedical properties. Nowadays, their synthesis is highly advanced. However, much less is known about bimetallic nanoparticles where a variety of structures is possible, e.g. alloy (solid solution), core-shell (two possibilities for two metals!), or gradient structure. Adapted synthetic procedures permit a fine-tuning of the nanoparticle ultrastructure. Bimetallic nanoparticles of platinum metals and silver were prepared by wet-chemical synthesis (reduction of the corresponding metal salts in water). This gives nanoparticles with defined diameter, adjustable between 2 and 40 nm. Their elemental distribution and their internal domain structure were analysed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy including EDX and HAADF, X-ray powder diffraction, and elemental analysis. Finally, the release of silver ions from nanoparticles of silver with gold and platinum metals permitted a fine-tuned biological action.

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