Catalytic properties of Fe–Pd ferromagnetic nanowires at liquid/liquid interfaces

Abstract

Fe–Pd binary alloy nanowires (NWs) were synthesized by electrodeposition method with the assistance of nanoporous anodic alumina (AAO). We focus on the synthesis conditions of Fe–Pd nanowires and the characterization of the resulting composition, size and morphology, and their magnetic and catalytic properties at liquid/liquid interfaces. A number of factors may affect the formation and properties of nanoparticles during the synthesis. Here, we focused on finding the effect of the applied potential on the resulting NWs. Moreover, it is shown that Fe–Pd NWs catalyse ion transfer across a soft water/1,2-dichloroethane interface, with a lower overpotential to that reported at bare soft interfaces. Furthermore, the NWs’ motion at a liquid/liquid interface is monitored by optical microscopy which allows demonstrating that the magnetic field generated by the ionic current makes the NWs to act as nano-stirrers, improving the local flow of material towards the active sites of the catalyst. During cyclic voltammetry experiments magnetic nanowires move back and forth in a given direction at the liquid/liquid interface according to the direction of polarization.