Single-Source Precursors for Alloyed Gold–Silver Nanocrystals - A Molecular Metallurgy Approach

Abstract

Multiple silver­(I)-aurates­(I) have been prepared by salt metathesis reactions that act as efficient single-source precursors to colloidal gold silver alloys with the highest possible atom economy in the chemical synthesis of nanostructures. The CF₃ group present on the Au cation acts as an in situ reducing agent and can be converted into CO ligands by simple hydrolysis. This ligand-mediated activation and subsequent decomposition of metal–organic precursors impose a molecular control over the nucleation process, producing homogeneously alloyed (Ag–Au) nanoparticles with an atomic Au:Ag ratio of 1:1. The concept also works for the Au–Cu system and acts as a pointer to replace Au (Ag) with less expensive (Cu) metals