Uncapped Au-Pd colloidal nanoparticles show catalysis enhancement

The catalytic properties of Pd trigger a strong interest on the related catalysis by Au-Pd nanoparticles. However, the analysis of such phenomena was complicated so far by the presence of capping. Using x-ray irradiation, we could produce uncapped Au-Pd nanoparticles and study their catalytic features, finding in particular their relation to the Pd content. Furthermore, the fabrication process is per se interesting, yielding excellent and flexibly controllable nanoparticles with a rather simple procedure.