A bronze Russian doll: The metal in the metal in the metal
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 - 14:30
in Physics & Chemistry
Just like in the Russian wooden toy, a hull of 12 copper atoms encases a single tin atom. This hull is, in turn, enveloped by 20 further tin atoms. Scientists have now generated these spatial structures built up in three layers as isolated metal clusters in alloys. With their large surfaces these structures can serve as highly efficient catalysts.