title: Heterometal nanoparticles from Ru-based molecular clusters covalently anchored onto functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanofibers.
abstract: Heterometal clusters containing Ru and Au, Co and/or Pt are anchored onto carbon nanotubes and nanofibers functionalized with chelating phosphine groups. The cluster anchoring yield is related to the amount of phosphine groups available on the nanocarbon surface. The ligands of the anchored molecular species are then removed by gentle thermal treatment in order to form nanoparticles. In the case of Au-containing clusters, removal of gold atoms from the clusters and agglomeration leads to a bimodal distribution of nanoparticles at the nanocarbon surface. In the case of Ru-Pt species, anchoring occurs without reorganization through a ligand exchange mechanism. After thermal treatment, ultrasmall (1-3 nm) bimetal Ru-Pt nanoparticles are formed on the surface of the nanocarbons. Characterization by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) confirms their bimetal nature on the nanoscale. The obtained bimetal nanoparticles supported on nanocarbon were tested as catalysts in ammonia synthesis and are shown to be active at low temperature and atmospheric pressure with very low Ru loading.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Université catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1/3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vidick
authors.affiliation: EMAT (Electron Microscopy for Materials Science), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: Xiaoxing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.affiliation: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Université catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1/3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Devillers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Claude
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Poleunis
authors.affiliation: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Université catholique de Louvain, Croix du Sud 1, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delcorte
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Chimica, Università di Parma, Parco Area delle Scienze 17/A, 43124 Parma, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Moggi
authors.affiliation: EMAT (Electron Microscopy for Materials Science), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, B2020 Antwerpen, Belgium.
authors.forename: Gustaaf
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Van Tendeloo
authors.affiliation: Institute of Condensed Matter and Nanosciences (IMCN), Université catholique de Louvain, Place Louis Pasteur 1/3, B-1348 Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hermans
keywords: ammonia synthesis; cluster; nanofibers; nanoparticles; nanotubes