Synthetic procedures that produce gram-scale, well defined and monodisperse bimetallic nanoparticles with controlled size and shape is an advantage to understanding the properties of materials with nanoscale dimensions. Monodisperse bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized using spectroscopic, microscopic and x-ray techniques. Within the 1-10 nm size range, bimetallic nanoparticles displayed electrochemical quantized double-layer (QDL) charging differences, indicating the electronic properties transitioning from a bulk-like continuum of electronic states to molecule-like, discrete electronic orbital levels. Comparative studies with the single metal nanoparticle counterparts showed that the bimetallic nanoparticles are capable of storing a large number of electrons. Such properties have led us to investigate their charging and discharging at large band-gap semiconductor interfaces, and consequently their ability to store and transfer multiple electrons. The results are paramount toward understanding and developing advanced materials for catalysis. We demonstrate the efficiency of the semiconductor/metal nanoparticle interfaces for the storage of solar energy and for using this energy as needed.

Multi-electron transfer from charged semiconductor surfaces to quantized bimetallic nanoparticles

245th National Meeting (2013)

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