Ultrasonication Unlocks New Pathway for High-Performance Nanocatalysts — Collaborative Breakthrough by Nagasaki University, Kyushu University, and KIST
A team of researchers led by Assoc. Prof. Anh T.N. Dao (Nagasaki University) and Prof. Kenji Kaneko (Kyushu University), in collaboration with the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), has achieved a breakthrough in nanomaterials engineering. The group developed a simple, one-pot method using ultrasonication to synthesize dendritic Au@Pt core–shell nanoparticles—structures with promising applications in environmental and catalytic technologies.
To understand the formation of these complex nanostructures, the team employed advanced imaging and analysis techniques, including high-resolution STEM, HAADF, EDS, and 3D electron tomography. Their findings revealed that ultrasonication significantly accelerates the reduction of platinum precursors, promotes the rapid formation of Pt clusters, and enables their assembly into dendritic shells around gold cores. Notably, while a thin Pt layer can form without ultrasonication, the unique dendritic architecture only appears when ultrasonic treatment is applied.
This discovery highlights the critical role of ultrasonication in shaping nanostructures, even under mild, water-based conditions and with low precursor concentrations. The method is not only energy-efficient and scalable but also environmentally friendly—making it highly attractive for real-world applications.
The research team is now exploring the use of these dendritic nanoparticles in environmental remediation, particularly for the catalytic breakdown of organic pollutants in water. Their unique structure, featuring high surface area and abundant active sites, is expected to dramatically enhance catalytic performance and contribute to the development of sustainable technologies.
Bimetallic Au@Pt dendritic core–shell nanoparticles were synthesized via co-reduction with ultrasonication, and their nanostructures were characterized to gain insights into the formation mechanism of the Pt shell on the Au core. Two types of nanoparticles, one with ultrasonication and another without, were prepared and examined by scanning transmission electron microscopy to understand the role of ultrasonication. With or without ultrasonication, a thin layer of Pt shell was present on the Au core. The ultrasonication resulted in the Pt cluster formation from precursors, the Pt cluster dispersion, the Pt granule formation, and the Pt granule collision with the Au core. Consequently, Au@Pt nanoparticles were synthesized with the Pt dendritic shell consisting of Pt granules. These findings highlight the potential of ultrasonication in the controlled synthesis of nanoparticles with unique nanostructures.
Journal: Scientific Reports (Impact Factor = 3.9)
Title: Insights into the formation of Au@Pt dendritic core–shell nanoparticles with the aid of ultrasonication
Authors:
Department of Materials, Kyushu University
KIST Korea Institute of Science and Technology
Department of Materials, Kyushu University
Graduate School of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University
Department of Materials, Kyushu University
Corresponding Authors:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09572-0
Publication Date: August 12, 2025
For more details, please see the full article in Scientific Reports.
