title: Supported ru-pt bimetallic nanoparticle catalysts prepared by atomic layer deposition.
abstract: Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is used to deposit ruthenium-platinum nanostructured catalysts using 2,4-(dimethylpentadienyl)(ethylcyclopentadienyl) ruthenium, trimethyl(methylcyclopentadienyl) platinum, and oxygen as precursors. Transmission electron microscopy shows discrete 1.2 nm nanoparticles decorating the surface of the spherical alumina support. The Ru-Pt particles are crystalline and have a crystal structure similar to pure platinum. X-ray fluorescence measurements show that the nanoparticle composition is controlled by the ratio of metal precursor ALD cycles. X-ray absorption spectroscopy at the Ru K-edge indicates a nearest neighbor Ru-Pt interaction consistent with a bimetallic composition. Methanol decomposition reactions further confirm a Ru-Pt interaction and show enhanced methanol conversion for the bimetallic nanoparticles when compared to catalysts comprised of a mixture of pure Pt and Ru nanoparticles of similar loading. These results demonstrate that ALD is a viable technique for synthesizing mixed-metal nanostructures suitable for catalysis and other applications.
authors.affiliation: Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne, Illinois 60439, USA.
authors.forename: Steven T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Joseph L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Libera
authors.forename: Neng
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.forename: Jeffrey T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Peter C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Stair
authors.forename: Jeffrey W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Elam