The cluster-like Ru x Se y ( x ≈ 2, y ≈ 1) compound can be prepared by simple pyrolysis of the carbonyl complex Ru 4 Se 2 (CO) 11 in inert gas. We have observed this process in situ using X-ray diffraction. The clusters exhibit a disordered hcp -type structure with an average size of 1.7 nm. Selenium is probably coordinated at the surface of ruthenium nanoparticles. Up to 430 °C, these nanoparticles are stable in an inert ambient, except for a certain growth in size. Above this temperature, the system splits into two phases: hcp -type ruthenium particles, which are probably free of Se, and a ruthenium-diselenide phase: RuSe 2 . Using density functional theory (DFT), we studied the surface structure of RuSe 2 and found a preference for Se-rich surfaces. Transferring to the nanoparticles, this might correspond to the picture of a Ru core and either a Ru x Se y - or a pure Se shell (adsorbate layer).
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Vogel et al. (2007) studied this question.