We report a facile strategy to synthesize intermetallic nanoparticle (iNP) electrocatalysts via one-pot pyrolysis of a zeolitic imidazolate framework, ZIF-8, encapsulating precious metal nanoparticles (NPs). ZIF-8 serves not only as precursor for N-doped carbon (NC), but also as Zn source for the formation of intermetallic or alloy NPs with the encapsulated metals. The resulting sub-4 nm PtZn iNPs embedded in NC exhibit high sintering resistance up to 1,000 °C. Importantly, the present methodology allows fine-tuning of both composition (e.g., PdZn and RhZn iNPs, as well as AuZn and RuZn alloy NPs) and size (2.4, 3.7, and 5.4 nm PtZn) of the as-formed bimetallic NPs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a metal-organic framework (MOF) with multiple functionalities, such as secondary metal source, carbon precursor, and size-regulating reagent, which promote the formation of iNPs. This work opens a new avenue for the synthesis of highly uniform and stable iNPs.

中文翻译：

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将受限的金属@ ZIF-8结构转化为负载在氮掺杂碳上的金属间纳米粒子以进行电催化

我们报告了一种简便的策略，可以通过一锅热解沸石咪唑酸盐骨架ZIF-8来合成金属间纳米粒子（iNP）电催化剂，包封贵金属纳米粒子（NPs）。ZIF-8不仅用作N掺杂碳（NC）的前体，而且还用作与包封金属形成金属间或合金NP的Zn源。嵌入NC中的所得亚4 nm PtZn iNPs在高达1,000°C的温度下具有很高的耐烧结性。重要的是，本方法允许对形成的双金属NP的成分（例如PdZn和RhZn iNP以及AuZn和RuZn合金NP）和尺寸（PtZn分别为2.4、3.7和5.4 nm）进行微调。据我们所知，这是具有多种功能的金属有机框架（MOF）的首次报告，例如辅助金属来源，碳前体，和尺寸调节剂，它们促进iNP的形成。这项工作为合成高度均匀和稳定的iNP开辟了一条新途径。