Preparation of compositionally-controlled Pt-based nanoparticle alloys via microplasma reduction of aqueous metal ions

Nanoparticle alloys of platinum (Pt) and another metal are desirable for catalytic applications to decrease the loading of the precious metal and alter the physiochemical structure of these materials to enhance their catalytic properties. This study explores the potential of producing gold and platinum nanoparticle alloys using a microplasma reduction technique. In this process, metal salt precursors (chlorauric acid and chloroplatinic acid) and poly-vinyl-alcohol (PVA) are dissolved in distilled water and exposed to an atmospheric argon microplasma. The as-grown particles are characterized by XRD and UV-Vis to confirm the formation an alloy.