Phase Controlled Intermetallic Platinum Tin Nanoparticles In Seeded Growth Synthesis For Catalytic Applications

Here we present platinum-tin nanoparticles, which were obtained by sequential reduction. First monometallic platinum particles are prepared by reduction of platinum(IV) chloride with tetrabutylammonium borohydride in toluene at room temperature with dodecylamine as a stabilizer. In the presence of these as-prepared particles, we reduce various amounts of bis[bis(trimethylsilyl) amino] tin(II) with diisobutylaluminum hydride. Depending on the amount of bis[bis(trimethylsilyl) amino] tin(II), we obtain different intermetallic platinum-tin phases like PtSn and PtSn2 as well as PtSn4 nanocrystals. Especially tin-rich particles provide an interesting surface structure for potential catalytic application. All particles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and powder x-ray diffraction (XRD).