Fabrication of Multi-component Catalytic Nanocrystals through the Solid State Conversion Chemistry

Abstract

This study was performed with the aim to using nanocofined conversion chemistry in solid state, which was alloyed to synthesize more complex nanocrystals. This approach involves chemical transformation of preformed nanocrystals into complex nanostructures. For this purpose, thermally and chemically stable silica nanospheres generated from a reverse-microemulsion solution for template suitable for conversion chemistry of preformed nanoparticle that encapsulated Au and Pt complex. The resulting nanocrystal thermally transforms into a surfactant free AuPt alloy nanocrystal, which was isolated from silica and then dispersedly loaded on the carbon support, allowing for electrocatalyst. Furthermore, by involving Fe3O4 nanocrystal in the conversion process, the AuPt alloy nanocrystals could be grown on the oxide surface, improving the durability of supported metal catalysts, and then uniformly loaded on a reduced graphene oxide layer with high electro-conductivity. This produced electrocatalytic AuPt/Fe3O4/RGO nanocomposites whose catalyst-oxide-graphene triple-junction structure provides improved electrocatalytic properties in terms of both activity and durability in catalyzing FAO. Moreover, by using transition metal complex of Ni and Cu in the conversion process, Ni and Cu metal core located in silica nanosphere. By involving Au and Cu metal complex in the process, the AuCu alloy crystals transform into Au/CuO in silica. Using 1st row transition metal could be possible to synthesize more complex and ehanced catalyst nanocrystals.