Nanoalloys: From theory to applications of alloy clusters and nanoparticles

The experimental and theoretical study of nanoalloys is a research field that is growing fast along many fronts, ranging from theory and simulation via synthesis, analysis and property measurement to applications in catalysis, materials science, optics, electronics, and magnetics. Clusters or nanoparticles are aggregates of between a few and many millions of atoms or molecules. They are made of identical atoms, or molecules and can be studied through molecular beams, vapor phase and colloidal suspensions. A very wide range of combinations and compositions are possible for nanoalloys. Bimetallic nanoalloys can be generated with controlled size and composition, more or less. The cluster structures and degree of A-B segregation or mixing may depend on the method and conditions of cluster generation. Nanoalloys can be produced in a variety of media, such as cluster beams, colloidal solutions, immobilized on surfaces or inside pores.