Competitive reactivity drives size- and composition-focusing in multimetallic nanocrystals
Summary
Multimetallic nanocrystals (NCs) offer distinctive properties driven by synergistic interactions among their constituent metals. Although colloidal chemistry enables control over size and composition, competing reactivities among metal precursors often complicate the synthesis of complex NCs. In this study, we systematically elucidate how the competitive reactivity of different metals in solution can be exploited to synthesize uniform pentametallic NCs despite numerous competing pathways.
Content
# Competitive reactivity drives size- and composition-focusing in multimetallic nanocrystals
*Published: 2026 May 7*
Multimetallic nanocrystals (NCs) offer distinctive properties driven by
synergistic interactions among their constituent metals. Although colloidal
chemistry enables control over size and composition, competing reactivities
among metal precursors often complicate the synthesis of complex NCs. In this
study, we systematically elucidate how the competitive reactivity of different
metals in solution can be exploited to synthesize uniform pentametallic NCs
despite numerous competing pathways. Mechanistic studies reveal heterodimers as
key intermediates that mediate further metal incorporation through selective
nucleation. Notably, the addition of more metals suppresses homogeneous
nucleation, resulting in size- and composition-focusing to produce complex NCs
with distinct multimetallic domains. When supported, these NCs show excellent
thermal stability and catalytic activity for ammonia decomposition, offering a
promising strategy for designing complex nanomaterials for energy-related
applications.
DOI: 10.1126/science.aea8044