Synthesis of binary metal–metal oxide core‐shell nanoparticles via surfactant‐free intercation redox reactions

Surfactant-free one-step redox reactions between two types of metal cations enable the synthesis of core-shell nanoparticles without sophisticated control. The reduced noble metal cations form a solid core, and the transition metal cations dissolved upon oxidation induce the subsequent formation of a metal oxide shell. Various nanostructures are obtained from the combination of reduction-preferring Au3+, Pd2+, Pt2+, Rh3+, and Ir3+ cations, and oxidation-preferring Ti3+, Mo3+, V2+, and V3+ cations. Among the synthesized core-shell nanoparticles, Au-M (M = Ti, Mo, and V) is selected for the photodegradation tests at 365 and 808 nm.