Alloy Films of the Platinum Metals as Model Catalysts for Research

Model platinum metal alloy catalysts for research purposes are conveniently prepared as thin films by simultaneous evaporation of the component metals. These catalysts can be characterised in some detail with respect to structural features such as phase-separation, crystallite size and orientation. In addition to the measurement of bulk composition, which would usually be carried out, advances have recently been made in analysing the surface composition, which isof greater significance for the discussion of catalytic behaviour.