Compositional effect of two-dimensional monodisperse AuPd bimetallic nanoparticle arrays fabricated by block copolymer nanopatterning on catalytic activity of CO oxidation

Abstract

We present a straightforward approach for fabricating AuPd nanocatalysts based on self-assembled block copolymer nanopatterning. CO oxidation was carried out on AuPd alloy nanoparticles and the activity increased with increasing Pd content; this synergistic activity can be precisely tuned by varying the chemical composition. Theoretical calculations suggest that Pd clusters are required to bind and dissociate O2 for oxidation of coadsorbed CO molecules. Our results suggest that the geometric configuration of the Pd atoms on the surface are a key factor in the catalytic activity.