journal article·2025-05Open access

Dynamic Ionic Environment Modulation for Precise Electrosynthesis of Heterostructured Bimetallic Nanoparticles

Heekwon Lee, Xun Zhan, Jamie H. Warner, Hang Ren

Advanced Science· Volume 12· Issue 17

Abstract

Abstract Bimetallic heterostructures, including core–shell and Janus configurations, often offer unique electrocatalytic properties compared to monometallic nanoparticles. However, achieving precise control over both elemental composition and spatial arrangement within these structures remains a challenge. Here, an electrosynthesis method is introduced that enables the fabrication of heterostructured bimetallic nanoparticles with precise, independent control of their elemental distribution. By leveraging dual‐channel scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM), the local ionic environment is dynamically modulated in situ, adjusting the deposition bias between channels to achieve selective electrodeposition. This approach allows temporal control over the solution conditions within the SECCM droplet, facilitating the synthesis of multi‐layer core–shell nanoparticles with tunable thickness, number, and sequence of layers. This technique is demonstrated with Pt–Cu and Pt–Ni systems, synthesizing arrays of Cu@Pt and Pt@Cu core–shell structures, which are then screened for catalytic activity in hydrogen evolution (HER) and oxygen reduction (ORR) reactions. The high spatial resolution and on‐demand control over the composition and structure make this method well‐suitable for creating arrays of complex, multi‐metallic heterostructures, which is expected to accelerate the discovery of advanced electrocatalytic materials, offering a platform for efficient and scalable electrocatalyst screening.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion · Electrochemical Analysis and Applications · Advanced Memory and Neural Computing

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

Department of Chemistry The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA

Texas Materials Institute The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA

Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA

Allen J. Bard Center for Electrochemistry The University of Texas at Austin Austin Texas 78712 USA

Funding

Welch Foundation · Division of Chemistry

References (35)

Show source-provided references
1. 10.1038/s41563-021-00996-310.1038/s41563-021-00996-3 ↗
2. 10.1038/nature0269510.1038/nature02695 ↗
3. 10.1021/ja303773z10.1021/ja303773z ↗
4. 10.1021/acs.nanolett.0c0502910.1021/acs.nanolett.0c05029 ↗
5. 10.1002/smll.20210224410.1002/smll.202102244 ↗
6. 10.1021/ja104677z10.1021/ja104677z ↗
7. 10.1021/jacs.8b0496710.1021/jacs.8b04967 ↗
8. 10.1002/anie.20170360910.1002/anie.201703609 ↗
9. 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c0233410.1021/acs.chemmater.3c02334 ↗
10. 10.1038/s44160-023-00258-x10.1038/s44160-023-00258-x ↗
11. 10.1002/adma.20210259110.1002/adma.202102591 ↗
12. 10.1002/anie.20050402510.1002/anie.200504025 ↗
13. 10.1021/cm500846w10.1021/cm500846w ↗
14. 10.1021/acs.chemmater.3c0079810.1021/acs.chemmater.3c00798 ↗
15. 10.1002/cphc.20120089110.1002/cphc.201200891 ↗
16. 10.1038/nchem.103010.1038/nchem.1030 ↗
17. 10.1039/D1SC03625D10.1039/D1SC03625D ↗
18. 10.1039/b500556f10.1039/b500556f ↗
19. 10.1002/adma.20130282010.1002/adma.201302820 ↗
20. 10.1016/j.mtchem.2021.10051510.1016/j.mtchem.2021.100515 ↗
21. 10.1021/ja204765510.1021/ja2047655 ↗
22. 10.1038/nchem.62310.1038/nchem.623 ↗
23. 10.1021/acsnano.1c0150010.1021/acsnano.1c01500 ↗
24. 10.1002/anie.20130682810.1002/anie.201306828 ↗
25. 10.1021/acs.accounts.6b0034010.1021/acs.accounts.6b00340 ↗
26. 10.1038/s41467-019-10303-z10.1038/s41467-019-10303-z ↗
27. 10.1021/acs.chemmater.4c0031810.1021/acs.chemmater.4c00318 ↗
28. 10.1039/C4SC02792B10.1039/C4SC02792B ↗
29. 10.1021/acsnano.2c0933610.1021/acsnano.2c09336 ↗
30. 10.1016/j.electacta.2023.14202310.1016/j.electacta.2023.142023 ↗
31. 10.1021/acsnano.3c0601110.1021/acsnano.3c06011 ↗
32. 10.1039/d4fd00080c10.1039/d4fd00080c ↗
33. 10.1021/acsnano.4c0998110.1021/acsnano.4c09981 ↗
34. 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c0038210.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00382 ↗
35. 10.1021/cr500519c10.1021/cr500519c ↗