Review—Structural Design and Dynamic Evolution of Intermetallic Compound Nanocatalysts Revealed by Environmental TEM

Abstract

Nanocrystals are of great importance in material sciences and chemical industries. Engineering nanocrystals with desired structures and properties is no doubt one of the most important challenges in the field, which requires deep insight into atomic-scale dynamics of nanocrystals during the process. Intermetallic compounds have drawn increasing interests in heterogeneous catalysis due to their unique geometrical and electronic structure, which enable the high selectivity and stability in catalytic reaction. Compared with monometallic and random alloyed catalysts, the precise structural control during the synthesis of intermetallic nanocrystals is no doubt one of the most important issues in catalysis but is still a challenge. Here, we summarized recent progresses in designing intermetallic nanocrystals with well-defined structures and categorized them into different entries, clarifying the most adopted strategies. Then, we discussed various structural evolutions of intermetallic compounds that occurred in the reaction conditions, which are of great significance for deep understanding of the active sites and structure-activity relationship of intermetallic nanocatalysts. In the end, we pointed out the challenges of existing progress and proposed prospects for future direction.