Near-Monodisperse Ni−Cu Bimetallic Nanocrystals of Variable Composition: Controlled Synthesis and Catalytic Activity for H₂ Generation

Near-monodisperse Ni 1− x Cu x ( x = 0.2−0.8) bimetallic nanocrystals were synthesized by a one-pot thermolysis approach in oleylamine/1-octadecene, using metal acetylacetonates as precursors. The nanocrystals form large-area 2D superlattices, and display a catalytic synergistic effect in the hydrolysis of NaBH 4 to generate H 2 at x = 0.5 in a strongly basic medium. The Ni 0.5 Cu 0.5 nanocrystals show the lowest activation energy, and also exhibit the highest H 2 generation rate at 298 K.