Metallic Glass Nanoparticles Synthesized via Flash Joule Heating

Abstract

Metallic glass (MG) nanoparticles have attracted intensive research interest for their promising mechanical and catalytic applications. However, current production methods lack the ability to precisely control phase, composition, and morphology, making it challenging to explicitly study their structure-property relationship. Here, we report a direct one-step synthesis of MG nanoparticles using flash Joule heating (FJH) that allows us to produce nanoparticles with desired phase, composition, and morphology. With the fast and controllable cooling attainable through FJH, we can produce fully amorphous Pd-P, Pd-Ni-P, and Pd-Cu-P nanoparticles with precise control in alloy composition and particle size (2.33 nm ± 0.83 nm). As a demonstration of potential application, we show the improved oxygen evolution activity (∼300 mV lower onset potential) of the MG nanoparticles over their crystalline counterparts and long-term stability in 60-h testing.