Tuning the structure and magnetic behavior of Ni-Ir-based nanoparticles in ionic liquids.

We report on a simple preparation of extremely small diameter (ca. 2 nm) Ni-Ir-based NPs using Ni(COD)2 and [Ir(COD)OCH3]2 in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (BMIm·NTf2). The prepared NPs had either core-shell-like or alloy-like structures with the presence of Ni,Ir-oxides, depending on the synthetic approach.