Controlling the composition and nanostructure of Au@Ag–Pt core@multi-shell nanoparticles prepared by co-reduction method

Three types of Au@Ag–Pt core@multi-shell nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized via a co-reduction reaction from a galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) and a reducing agent, with different feeding ratios of Ag or Pt precursors. The morphology of the core-shell NPs showed a thin multi-shell with a mixture of Ag, void, and Pt granules, and their microstructure was investigated by scanning transmission electron microscopy. The effect of the Ag or Pt precursor feeding ratios on the competition of the two reduction reactions, and the subsequent impact on the nanostructure of Ag-void-Pt multi-shell were discussed. In the case of the sample with a reduced Ag precursor feeding ratio, the thickness of the Ag layer decreased significantly. The oxidation resistance of the Ag layer was improved due to the charge-transfer effect from Au to Ag, which suppressed galvanic replacement, and the reaction by the reducing agent was dominant. In the case of the sample with a reduced Pt precursor feeding ratio, the number of Pt granules was found to decrease while the volume of voids was maintained, suggesting that GRR was the dominant reaction in the co-reduction method. These results provide further insight into the co-reduction reaction mechanism and enable the control of noble trimetallic nanoparticles with complex shells.