Effects of different additives on bimetallic Au–Pt nanoparticles electrodeposited onto indium tin oxide electrodes

Bimetallic Au–Pt nanoparticles (Au–PtNPs) have been synthesized using an electrochemical reduction approach. The effects of the addition of different additives in the electrodeposition bath namely KI, 1-nonanesulfonic acid sodium salt and Triton X-100 have been investigated. The structural characterization of the bimetallic nanoparticles has been carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV–vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). The Au–PtNPs prepared in the presence of KI and Triton X-100 characterized by a relatively narrow size distribution as well as a higher particle density and surface coverage whereas no changes in the morphology were observed. These results suggest a dependence of the size and distribution of the bimetallic nanoparticles from the type and concentration of the additives employed.