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Deciphering the Surface Composition and the Internal Structure of Alloyed Silver–Gold Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Grasmik Viktoria,
Rurainsky Christian,
Loza Kateryna,
Evers Mathies V.,
Prymak Oleg,
Heggen Marc,
Tschulik Kristina,
Epple Matthias
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201800579
Subject(s) - dynamic light scattering , materials science , underpotential deposition , nanoparticle , transmission electron microscopy , analytical chemistry (journal) , crystallite , bimetallic strip , spectroscopy , cyclic voltammetry , scanning electron microscope , silver nanoparticle , chemical engineering , chemistry , nanotechnology , metallurgy , electrochemistry , metal , chromatography , composite material , physics , electrode , quantum mechanics , engineering
Spherical bimetallic AgAu nanoparticles in the molar ratios 30:70, 50:50, and 70:30 with diameters of 30 to 40 nm were analyzed together with pure silver and gold nanoparticles of the same size. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and differential centrifugal sedimentation (DCS) were used for size determination. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was used to determine the nanoalloy composition, together with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) and ultraviolet‐visible (UV/Vis) spectroscopy. Underpotential deposition (UPD) of lead (Pb) on the particle surface gave information about its spatial elemental distribution and surface area. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were applied to study the shape and the size of the nanoparticles. X‐ray powder diffraction gave the crystallite size and the microstrain. The particles form a solid solution (alloy) with an enrichment of silver on the nanoparticle surface, including some silver‐rich patches. UPD indicated that the surface only consists of silver atoms.