Influence of the Support on the Morphology of Co-Sn, Ni-Sn, Co-Ni Nanoparticles Synthesized Through a Borohydride Reduction Method Applying a Template Technique

Abstract

Abstract Intermetallic (Co-Sn, Ni-Sn, Co-Ni) nanoparticles have been synthesized through a borohydride reduction with NaBH4 in aqueous solutions of the chloride salts of Co, Ni, Sn at room temperature using a template technique with a carbon support. As a result nanocomposite materials have been obtained in situ. The ratio of the metallic components has been chosen according the phase diagrams of the relevant binary (Co-Sn, Ni-Sn, Co-Ni) systems: Co:Sn=35:65, Ni:Sn=45:55, Co:Ni=50:50. As carbon supports have been used graphite and carbon powder. To avoid the nanoparticle’s aggregation b-cyclodextrin has been added to the reaction solutions. To study the influence of the supports used on the morphology, specific surface area, elemental and phase composition of the synthesized intermetallic nanoparticles and their carbon nanocomposites SEM, EDS, BET, and XRD investigation techniques have been used. The particle’s morphology varies with the different supports, but in the all cases it is typical for alloyed materials. The nanoparticles are different in shape and size and exhibit a tendency to aggregate. The last-one is due to the unsaturated nanoparticle’s surface and the existing magnetic forces. Regardless of the elemental composition, the nanosized particles are characterized by a relatively high specific surface area (SSA). The Ni-Sn nanoparticle have the largest SSA (80 m2/g), while the Co-Sn particles have the lowest SSA (69 m2/g). The use of a carrier modifies the SSA of the resulting nanocomposites differently depending on the size and shape of the carrier’s particles. The studies conducted on the intermetallic nanoparticles synthesized with various carriers demonstrate that the particle’s morphology, size, and specific surface area for the different supports are suitable for use as catalysts, electrode materials in Li-ion batteries and as magnetic materials for biomedical applications.