| abstract |
A composite nanoparticle includes a nanoparticle of mineral oxide and a shell of a transition metal oxide. The mineral oxide may be silica, alumina, or a mixture of such materials, and the shell of transition metal oxide at least partially surrounds the nanoparticle of mineral oxide. Methods of preparation include reacting a solution comprising a salt of a transition metal with a nanoparticle of the mineral oxide in the presence of a reducing agent and an organic stabilizing agent; drying the resulting mixture to form a dried mixture; and annealing the dried mixture to form the composite nanoparticle. |