From (Au5Sn + AuSn) physical mixture to phase pure AuSn and Au5Sn intermetallic nanocrystals with tailored morphology: digestive ripening assisted approach

Here we present digestive ripening facilitated interatomic diffusion for the phase controlled synthesis of homogeneous intermetallic nanocrystals of Au-Sn system. Au and Sn metal nanoparticles synthesized by a solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) method are employed as precursors for the fabrication of AuSn and Au5Sn which are Au-rich Au-Sn intermetallic nanocrystals. By optimizing the stoichiometry of Au and Sn in the reaction mixture, and by employing growth directing agents, the formation of phase pure intermetallic AuSn and Au5Sn nanocrystals could be realized. The as-prepared Au and Sn colloidal nanoparticles and the resulting intermetallic nanocrystals are thoroughly characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM and STEM-EDS), and optical spectroscopy. The results obtained here demonstrate the potential of solution chemistry which allows synthesizing phase pure Au-Sn intermetallics with tailored morphology.