Intermetallic Nanocrystals: Syntheses and Catalytic Applications

TL;DR

This review discusses recent advances in synthesizing intermetallic nanocrystals with controlled size and shape, emphasizing their superior catalytic performance compared to alloy nanocrystals and exploring future research directions.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of synthesis strategies and catalytic applications of intermetallic nanocrystals, highlighting their unique properties and advantages over alloys.

Findings

Intermetallic nanocrystals exhibit enhanced catalytic activity.

Controlled synthesis enables precise tuning of nanocrystal properties.

Intermetallic nanocrystals outperform alloy counterparts in catalysis.

Abstract

At the forefront of nanochemistry, there exists a research endeavor centered around intermetallic nanocrystals, which are unique in terms of long-range atomic ordering, well-defined stoichiometry, and controlled crystal structure. In contrast to alloy nanocrystals with no atomic ordering, it has been challenging to synthesize intermetallic nanocrystals with a tight control over their size and shape. This review article highlights recent progress in the synthesis of intermetallic nanocrystals with controllable sizes and well-defined shapes. We begin with a simple analysis and some insights key to the selection of experimental conditions for generating intermetallic nanocrystals. We then present examples to highlight the viable use of intermetallic nanocrystals as electrocatalysts or catalysts for various reactions, with a focus on the enhanced performance relative to their alloy counterparts that lack atomic ordering. We conclude with perspectives on future developments in the context of synthetic control, structure-property relationship, and application.