Cumhuriyet Science Journal, vol.42, no.3, pp.586-592, 2021 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
The development of effective multi-functional Pt-based nanoparticles
(NPs) with enhanced activity, stability, and reduced cost for advanced
applications still remains a challenge. In this study, Pt(acac)2 and
Cu(OAc)2 metal precursors were reduced to form Pt-Cu NPs at 140 °C in
ethylene glycol and sodium borohydride that is a secondary reducing
agent in the modified polyol method. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) and
Rietveld refinement analyses confirmed the face-centered cubic PtCu3
structure with the space groups of Fm3 ̅m and a lattice constant of
a=b=c=3.6829 Å. The average crystal size was found to be 2.76 nm by
Scherrer's formula. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirm
the formation of monodisperse PtCu3 NPs with an average size of 8.04 nm
within a narrow range of 5-13 nm. While energy-dispersive x-ray
spectroscopy (EDS) analysis confirmed that the composition is formed of
26% Pt and 74% Cu atoms and XRD and EDS analyses were confirmed
impurity, by-products, and oxidation free NPs formation.