The production of nano-scale materials with predictable and reproducible composition and morphology has been a continuing problem for researchers in nanomaterials.  Hyper-branched polyethyleneimine, as a polymer scaffold, was complexed in aqueous solution with Co2+ and Pt4+ in various ratios to form metal alloy CoxPt1-x nanomaterials. Chemical reduction of the scaffold-metal precursor complex results in the kinetically-favored crystalline, amorphous phase. This research examines whether photo-reduction of the precursor complex results in a thermodynamically-favored chemically-ordered crystalline phase, while also achieving a narrow size distribution.  As-prepared sample and grain-by-grain measurements are conducted in order to ascertain the effect of chemical versus photo-reduction and molar ratios of precursor compounds on composition and structure. Preliminary results show that the size control previously reported in the literature is achievable through photo- and chemical reduction, and that the polymer prevents aggregation in solution.

Chemical ordering in metal-based composite nanocrystals

245th National Meeting (2013)

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