Facile Synthesis of Branched Ruthenium Nanocrystals and Their Use in Catalysis

Our novel and facile synthesis of ruthenium nanostars opens the door to the shape control of previously inaccessible sophisticated and monodisperse ruthenium nanomaterials. The metallic state and hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure of the Ru nanostars, which are approximately 15 nm across, were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). These materials can also act as seeds for the first preparation of ruthenium nanourchins. In addition, we have shown that they are as catalysts for the activation of CO and C═C bonds, since Fischer–Tropsch and solvent-free hydrogenation reactivities were observed on these unsupported materials.