Mixed-metal FePd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) have been synthesized in moderate yield (ca. 55−60%) and at relatively low temperatures from single-source [1]-ferrocenophane precursors. Thermolysis of [Fe(η 5 -C 5 H 4 ) 2 Pd-(PnBu 3 ) 2 ] (7) (1 h, 150°C) and the new species [Fe(η 5 -C 5 H 4 ) 2 Pd{PnBu 2 (CH 2 ) 4 PnBu 2 }] (9) (1 h, 190°C) afforded crystalline, heterobimetallic FePd alloy NPs with diameters of ca. 4 nm (11) and 3.5 nm (12), respectively, together with mixtures of unidentified, mainly ligand-derived products. Both sets of particles were analyzed by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, which, in addition to providing particle size, determined the spacing between the lattice fringes to be 0.23 nm. Evidence for the formation of alloy nanoparticles, rather than a mixture of those comprising pure metals, was obtained by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, which confirmed the presence of both Fe and Pd in a single particle. This assertation was further supported by wide-angle X-ray scattering of 11 and 12, which displayed broad reflections at 2θ = 40.58°and 40.09°, respectively, in good agreement with previous studies of FePd NPs. Atomic absorption spectroscopy was employed for bulk analysis of the particles and indicated that that the compositions of 11 and 12 were ca. Fe 35 Pd 65 .
■ INTRODUCTIONObjects with nanoscale dimensions have potential applications in the fields of physics, electrical engineering, and cellular biology due to the unique physical properties that they exhibit. 1 The combination of two or more metals into the mixed-alloy crystalline nanodomain of heterobimetallic NPs can afford species with enhanced magnetic, 2 optical, 3 and electronic 4 properties, relative to their monometallic counterparts. Heterobimetallic NPs have thus been employed in a variety of applications, including catalysis, 5 magnetic data storage, 6,2a environmental remediation, 7 and in fuel cell devices. 4,8 Common methods for the synthesis of heterobimetallic nanoparticles include the co-reduction of metal salts, 9 thermal decomposition, 2a,10 and galvanic replacement reactions. 11 Metallopolymers, where the metal centers are located in the main chain or pendant side group, 12 are attractive precursors to both metal NPs, 13 and magnetic ceramics. 14 Thermolysis of metallopolymers can afford NPs that are stabilized in a ceramic matrix and are thus prevented from aggregating. Furthermore, polymeric precursors can often be cross-linked prior to pyrolysis, enabling ceramic yields to be maximized. 14a,c Significantly, the propensity for metalloblock copolymers to form spatially segregated nanodomains, in both the bulk and solution state, 15 facilitates the formation of nanoparticles in ordered arrays. 16,14e The incorporation of a second metal center into the repeat unit of the polymer (e.g., 1, Figure 1) 13d can facilitate heterobimetallic NP synthesis from polymeric singlesource precursors. 17 Thermal treatment of [n]metallocenophanes (4) usually induces ring-opening polymerization (ROP) to afford po...