Simple and convenient preparation of Au–Pt core-shell nanoparticles on surface via a seed growth method

Au–Pt core-shell nanoparticles were prepared on glass surface by a seed growth method. Gold nanoparticles were used as seeds and ascorbic acid–H2PtCl6 solutions as growth solutions to deposit Pt shell on the surface of gold nanoparticles. These core-shell nanoparticles and their growth process were examined by UV–Vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy and field-emission environmental scanning electron microscopy and the results indicated that the deposition speed was fast and nanoparticles with obvious core-shell structure could be obtained after 2 min. Moreover, this seed growth method for preparation of the core-shell nanoparticles is simple and convenient compared with other seed growth methods with NH4OH as a mild reductant. In addition, electrochemical experiments indicated that these Au–Pt core-shell nanoparticles had similar electrochemical properties to those of the bulk Pt electrode.