Bimetallic Ag–Au Nanowires: Synthesis, Growth\nMechanism, and Catalytic Properties

Abstract

Silver–gold\n(Ag–Au) bimetallic nanowires were controllably\nsynthesized by a newly developed wet-chemical method at room temperature.\nThe Ag nanowires and Au nanoparticles were sequentially formed by\nreduction with vanadium oxide (V₂O₃) nanoparticles\nso as to form Ag–Au bimetal, in which the Ag nanowires show\na diameter of ∼20 nm and length up to 10 μm. A few unique\nfeatures were noted in our new approach: it was rapid (within a few\nminutes), controllable in shape and size, reproducible, and there\nwas no need for any surface modifiers. The formation and growth mechanisms\nof these Ag–Au bimetallic nanostructures driven by lattice\nmatch and a unique reducing agent (V₂O₃) have\nbeen proposed in this study. Moreover, the application of such bimetallic\nnanoparticles for catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol\nwas performed, and they exhibit catalytic properties superior to those\nof the Ag nanowires, Au nanoparticles, and Ag–Pd bimetallic\nnanostructures prepared under the reported conditions. These Ag–Au\nbimetallic nanoparticles have potential to be highly efficient catalysts\nfor the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. This study may lead to new path\nfor the generation of other bimetallic nanostructures with excellent\ncatalytic efficiency.