title: Levelling the playing field: screening for synergistic effects in coalesced bimetallic nanoparticles.
abstract: Depending on the synthetic methods, bimetallic nanoparticles can have either core-shell, phase segregated, alloy, or partially coalesced structures, presenting different degrees of atomic mixing on their surface. Along with the variations of size and morphology, the structural differences make it difficult to compare the catalytic activity of bimetallic nanoparticles. In this article, we developed a facile screening method that can focus on the synergistic effects rather than structural differences. Prefabricated nanoparticles are mixed together to form linear aggregates and coalesced to form bimetallic junctions. Their hollow silica shells allow materials transport but prevent further aggregation. With a level playing field, this screening platform can identify the best bimetallic combination for a catalytic reaction, before optimizing the synthesis. This approach is more advantageous than the conventional approaches where structural difference may have dominant effects on the catalytic performance.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore. hongyuchen@ntu.edu.sg.
authors.forename: Rachel Lee Siew
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Xiaohui
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Bo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Wen Han
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.forename: Yin
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jun
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Hongyu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen