Multimetal nanoparticle synthesis

Nanomaterials Multicomponent nanoparticles can be difficult to synthesize. Rather than mixing in one type of particle, the compounds often separate and form distinct particles. Using dip-pen lithography, Chen et al. show how adding reactants to very small volumes forces the reactants to form single particles containing various combinations of five different transition metal ions. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy revealed the shapes of the nanoparticles and how metallic composition varied within them. For example, the quinary particle containing gold, silver, cobalt, copper, and nickel consisted of three domains of binary alloys. ![Figure][1] Single nanoparticles can contain multiple domains of transition metal ion alloys. PHOTO: CHEN ET AL. Science , this issue p. [1565][2] [1]: pending:yes [2]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.aaf8402