Shape regulation of high-index facet nanoparticles by dealloying

Stabilizing rougher nanoparticles For many reactions catalyzed by metal nanoparticles, the more exposed metal atoms on high-index faces can be more active than metal atoms on smooth, low-index faces. Surface ligands can be used to stabilize high-index surfaces, but they can also be hard to remove. Huang et al. report the solid-state synthesis of metal nanoparticles such as platinum and chromium that can form tetrahexahedral nanoparticles with high-index faces. Metals such as bismuth and lead were alloyed with the transition metals at high temperatures and then evaporatively dealloyed during a quench to room temperature. Science , this issue p. 1159