Preparation and characterization of dendrimer-templated Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoclusters

Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoclusters with different shapes were prepared by a co-complexation method in the presence of PAMAM dendrimers. Small and evenly sized spherical Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were obtained with N ₂H₄·H₂O as the reducing agent, and long rod-shaped bimetallic nanoclusters were prepared with NaBH₄ as the reducing agent. The mechanisms of formation of Ag-Cu bimetallic nanolusters with different shapes were discussed. The different shapes of the cluster were likely caused by the differences in the reduction rate of metal ions with NaBH₄ and N₂H₄·H₂O. Structure characterization by TEM, UV-vis spectra, EDX, and TGA showed that, in the presence of PAMAM dendrimers, Ag-Cu alloy bimetallic nanorods were obtained with NaBH₄ reduction, and Ag-Cu bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared with N₂H₄·H₂O as the reducing agent.