Microstructure and Electronic Behavior of PtPd@Pt Core-shell Nanowires

PtPd{at}Pt core-shell ultrathin nanowires were prepared using a one-step phase-transfer approach. The diameters of the nanowires range from 2 to 3 nm, and their lengths are up to hundreds of nanometers. Line scanning electron energy loss spectra showed that PtPd bimetallic nanowires have a core-shell structure, with a PtPd alloy core and a Pt monolayer shell. X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra reveal that a strong Pt-Pd interaction exists in this nanowire system in that there is PtPd alloying and/or interfacial interaction. Extended x-ray absorption fine structures (EXAFS) further confirms the PtPd@Pt core-shell structure. The bimetallic nanowires were determined to be face-centered cubic structures. The long-chain organic molecules of n-dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide and octadecylamine, used as surfactants during synthesis, were clearly observed using aberration-corrected TEM operated at 80 KV. The interaction of Pt and surfactants was also revealed by EXAFS.