Expanding the Range: AuCu Metal Aerogels from H2O and EtOH

Due to their self-supporting and nanoparticulate structure, metal aerogels have emerged as excellent electrocatalysts, especially in the light of shift renewable energy cycles. While a large number synthesis parameters already been studied depth, only superficial attention has paid solvent. In order investigate influence this parameter with respect gelation time, crystallinity, morphology, or porosity gels, AuxCuy were prepared water ethanol. It was shown that although leads highly porous gels (60 m2g−1), CuO phase forms during process. The undesired oxide could be selectively removed using post-washing step formic acid. contrast, solvent change EtOH led halving time suppression Cu oxidation. Thus, pure synthesized addition various bimetallic Au3X (X = Ni, Fe, Co) gels. faster gelation, caused by lower permittivity EtOH, formation thicker gel strands, which resulted aerogels. advantage given choice simplifies preparation provides deeper knowledge about gelation.