Philippe P. Arquilliere

Bimetallic Ru–Cu Nanoparticles Synthesized in Ionic Liquids: Kinetically Controlled Size and Structure

We report a new synthesis of size-controlled bimetallic Ru–Cu nanoparticles (NPs) in ionic liquids using two organometallic precursors. Interestingly enough, upon mixing ruthenium and copper precursors, smaller bimetallic NPs (1.9–2.8xa0nm) are formed as compared to single metals (Cu: 5xa0nm; Ru: 4xa0nm) in a large range of copper molar fractions (χCuxa0=xa00.005–0.91). Surface and microscopy techniques evidence that NPs have metallic copper on the surface and crystalline hexagonal close-packed metallic ruthenium core. This structure is further assessed by the catalytic activity of the bimetallic NPs, showing that conversion of benzene in cyclohexane is reduced with increasing χCu.Graphical AbstractA new and versatile synthesis of size-controlled bimetallic NPs under 10xa0nm using different decomposition rates of organometallic precursors in ionic liquids is described.