Core(Fe)–Shell(Au) Nanoparticles Obtained from Thin Fe/Au Bilayers Employing Surface Segregation

Core(Fe)-shell(Au) nanoparticles are obtained by solid-state dewetting of thin Fe/Au bilayer films deposited on a sapphire substrate. The core-shell morphology is achieved by employing the equilibrium segregation phenomenon, where Au atoms form a homogeneous thin shell on the surfaces of an Fe nanoparticle and at its interface with the substrate, reducing the total interfacial energy of the system. The obtained nanoparticles are single crystalline (structurally perfect), thermally stable, and of high purity. Their size may be tuned by changing the initial film thickness. We demonstrate that the nanoparticles can subsequently be stripped from the substrate, and/or be modified by attaching thiol-containing organic molecules for use in various nanotechnology-related applications. The method presented herein may easily be extended to other metal combinations, especially those relevant for catalysis, thus helping to reduce precious-metal (e.g., Au, Pt, Rh) content in the catalyst.