A novel Co@Au structure formed in bimetallic core@shell nanoparticles

What is it about?

Bimetallic core@shell Co@Au nanoparticles have been produced by the Multiple Ion Cluster Source inert gas condensation method. The elemental distribution has been analyzed by analytical methods (EELS and EDS) confirming the presence of both metals in most (80%) of the single nanoparticles. As theoretically predicted by Bochicchio and Ferrando no decahedral nanoparticles were observed containing both metals and they always adopted icosahedral shapes or a novel structure presented here for the first time. The novel structure consisted of icosahedra made of pure Co that is coated by 10 pure Au fcc facets along the (110) direction which are linked to each other by twin planes. In addition to the 10 facets, two intergrowths are present which are responsible for releasing the strain that the nanoparticle would exhibit.

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Why is it important?

Core@shell Co@Au nanoparticles of around 8 nm have been produced by the inert gas condensation method, revealing for the first time that most of the nanoparticles exhibit an icosahedral shape in agreement with the theoretical prediction. Additionally, we report the existence of a novel morphology which consists of a Co icosahedron surrounded by fcc Au facets, reported here for the first time.