Structures of binary metallic nanoparticles produced by electrical explosion of two wires from immiscible elements

•Increasing of superheating of twisted wires causes the formation of Janus nanoparticles.•Detected formation of solid solutions Ag0.88Cu0.12, Сu0.93Ag0.07 end Cu0.985 Pb0.015.•Particle size distribution is described by normal-logarithmic law.

In this study, Cu/Ag, Сu/Pb and Al/Pb binary metallic nanoparticles were synthesized by the electrical explosion of two twisted wires from immiscible elements (i.e., Сu–Ag, Cu–Pb and Al–Pb). The distribution of metallic components in the nanoparticles depended on the melting temperature, metal density, and degree of initial wire superheating. Different types of nanoparticles, such as nanoparticles with no separation between the metal phases, as well as core-shell and Janus nanoparticles were formed depending on the process parameters and the characteristics of the metals. Certain binary metallic nanoparticles were formed when the metal clusters were combined and formed during the initial stages of dispersing the two wires using a pulse of electrical current.

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