Synthesis and Stabilization of Alloy Nanoparticles

All nanostructures are inherently thermodynamically unstable with respect to the bulk solid. But the kinetic stability that can be achieved with even very small nanoparticles given suitable support materials can make supported nanoparticles efficient and practical heterogeneous catalysts. Stability concerns are, however, exacerbated for alloy nanoparticles that are composed of metals with unfavorable mixing enthalpies. We are interested in the development of efficient strategies for the synthesis of this promising class of catalysts and their stabilization under forcing reaction conditions.