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Understanding the nucleation and growth mechanisms of highentropy alloy (HEA) nanoparticles is crucial for developing functional nanocrystals with tailored properties. This study investigates the thermal decomposition of mixed metal salt precursors (Fe, Ni, Pt, Ir, Ru) on reduced graphene oxide (rGO) using in situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) when heated to 1000 °C at both slow (20 °C min−1) and fast (103 °C s−1) heating/cooling rates. Slow heating to 1000 °C revealed the following: (1) The nanoparticles' nucleation occurred through multistage decomposition at lower temperatures (250−300 °C) than single metal salt precursors (300−450 °C). (2) Pt-dominant nanocrystals autocatalytically reduced other elements, leading to the formation of multimetallic FeNiPtIrRu nanoparticles. (3) At 1000 °C, the nanoparticles were single-phase with noble metals enriched compared to transition metals. (4) Slow cooling induced structural heterogeneity and phase segregation due to element diffusion and thermodynamic miscibility. (5) Adding polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) suppressed segregation, promoting HEA nanoparticle formation even during slow cooling by limiting atomic diffusion. Under fast heating/cooling, nanoparticles formed as a solid solution of fcc HEA, indicating kinetic control and limited atomic diffusion. The density function theory (DFT) calculations illustrate that the simultaneous presence of metal elements on rGO, as expected by the fast heating process, favors the formation of an fcc HEA structure, with strong interactions between HEA nanoparticles and rGO enhancing stability. This study provides insights into how heating rates and additives like PVP can control phase composition, chemical homogeneity, and stability, enabling the rational design of complex nanomaterials for catalytic, energy, and functional applications.
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Fundamental understanding of the synthesis of well-defined supported non-noble metal intermetallic compound nanoparticles
Access to well-defined, model-like, non-noble metal intermetallic compound nanomaterials (<10 nm) with phase pure bulk, bulk-like 1st-atomic-layer surface composition, and unique electronic and surface chemical properties is critical for the fields of catalysis, electronics, and sensor development. Non-noble metal intermetallic compounds are compositionally ordered solid compounds composed of transition metals and semimetals or post-transition metals. Their synthesis as model-like high-surface-area supported nanoparticles is challenging due to the elevated reactivity of the constituent elements and their interaction with the support material. In this study, we have developed a systematic understanding of the fundamental phenomena that control the synthesis of these materials such that phase pure bulk nanoparticles (<10 nm) may be produced with bulk-like surface terminations. The effects of the precursor and support choice, chemical potential of H 2 , reduction temperature, and annealing procedures were investigated to understand the fundamental kinetics of particle formation and interactions that dictate phase purity and stability and 1st-atomic-layer surface composition. The understanding developed may serve as a foundation for further developing advanced synthesis procedures for well-defined nanoparticles with increasing compositional complexity.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1752063
- PAR ID:
- 10332838
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Catalysis Science & Technology
- Volume:
- 12
- Issue:
- 11
- ISSN:
- 2044-4753
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 3568 to 3581
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1039/D2CY00183G
