Nanociència : l'important no rau en la noblesa

The field of metallic nanoparticles (MNP), one of the nanoscience fields with most projection, advances daily. The exceptional characteristic physical and chemical properties of these particles make it possible to use them in electrochemical applications. However, this can be affected by the tendency of MNPs to group together and thus lose their original form. By stabilising the particles in polymeric matrices it is possible not only to control their size and speed of growth, but to store them in solid and liquid forms due to the solubility of polymers. As explained in the following article, noble metals (monometallic particles) are used in electrochemical applications, which make the process extremely expensive. The objective therefore is to reduce the quantity of noble metal used -without compromising electrocatalytic capacity -and add core-shell (bimetallic) nanoparticles. These possess a more economical metal core covered by a noble metal shell. They have been proved to be more stable in both size and shape, and display greater electrocatalytic activity.