Modification effect of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) on surface structures of RhPt bimetallic nanocluster catalysts

• The presence of PVP affects formation and surface structure of RhPt nanoclusters.
• PVP benefits Rh-atom enrichment on the surface of RhPt nanoclusters.
• Choice of polymer helps to tune catalytic performance of bimetallic nanocatalyst.

Rhodium–platinum (RhPt) colloidal bimetallic nanoclusters with different metal compositions are synthesized through chemical reduction method. Modification effect of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) is investigated. Due to its different interaction with metal precursors, PVP can affect the formation of metal nanoclusters and has the ability of tuning surface structures of the bimetallic nanoclusters. The presence of PVP before the formation of the RhPt nanoclusters tends to improve surface enrichment of Rh atoms and accordingly increases the role of Rh in catalytic reaction. The choice of polymer having different interaction with metal precursors helps to tune catalytic performance of bimetallic nanocatalyst.

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