Compositional effect of two-dimensional monodisperse AuPd bimetallic nanoparticle arrays fabricated by block copolymer nanopatterning on catalytic activity of CO oxidation.

We present a straightforward approach for fabricating AuPd nanocatalysts based on self-assembled block copolymer nanopatterning. CO oxidation was carried out on AuPd alloy nanoparticles and the activity increased with increasing Pd content; this synergistic activity can be precisely tuned by varying the chemical composition. Theoretical calculations suggest that Pd clusters are required to bind and dissociate O-2 for oxidation of coadsorbed CO molecules. Our results suggest that the geometric configuration of the Pd atoms on the surface are a key factor in the catalytic activity.