Uncapped Au-Pd colloidal nanoparticles show catalytic enhancement

The catalytic properties of Pd have triggered a strong interest in the related catalysis by Au-Pd nanoparticles. However, the analysis of such phenomena has been complicated so far due to the presence of capping. Using X-ray irradiation, we produced uncapped Au-Pd nanoparticles and studied their catalytic features, finding in particular their relationship to the Pd content. Furthermore, the fabrication process is per se interesting, yielding excellent and flexibly controllable nanoparticles with a rather simple procedure.