Studies on bimetallic catalytic nanoclusters

초록

High-performance electro-catalysts with excellent catalytic activity and long durability compared to Pt are urgently necessary for the fast development of energy storage and conversion systems. Bimetallic nanoclusters are well known for their unique and unexpected behaviors. Different bimetallic nanoclusters of platinum have been investigated for oxidation reduction reaction. Nonetheless, many mismatches were found in electrolytic trend even when the clusters with the same composition, shape and size were used. Many of this is responsible for the reaction conditions. However, one of the most important factor was ignored: how the relative positions of joining metal atoms within the cluster affect the catalytic properties. Studying the isomerism experimentally at the nanoscale is a hard task. Our quantum chemical calculations showed that the homotops of the cluster can greatly change the catalytic properties. From this, it is possible to design a nanocluster with proper composition, size and shape. It is also found that homotopy of the cluster is also vital for precise estimation of catalytic properties.