Particle swarm optimization of the stable structure of tetrahexahedral Pt-based bimetallic nanoparticles

Abstract

Bimetallic nanoparticles, enclosed by high-index facets, have great catalytic activity and selectivity owing to the synergy effects of high-index facets and the electronic structures of alloy. In this paper, a discrete particle swarm optimization algorithm was employed to systematically investigate the structural stability and features of tetrahexahedral Pt-based bimetallic nanoparticles with high-index facets. Different Pt/Ag, Pt/Cu, Pt/Pd atom ratios and particle sizes were considered in this work. The simulation results reveal that these alloy nanoparticles exhibit considerably different structural characteristics. Pt-Ag nanoparticles tend to form Pt-Ag core-shell structure. Pt-Cu nanoparticles are preferred to take multi-shell structure with Cu on the outer surface while Pt-Pd nanoparticles present a mixing structure in the interior and Pddominated surface. Atomic distribution and bonding characteristics were applied to further characterize the structural features of Pt-based nanoparticles. This study provides an important insight into the structural stability and features of Pt-based nanoparticles with different alloys.