Change in local environment upon quasicrystallization of Zr-Cu glassy alloys by addition of Pd and Pt.

The effects of Pd and Pt, which are known quasicrystal (QC)-forming elements, on the local atomic structure in Zr(70)Cu(30) glassy alloys are investigated. A QC phase precipitates from a glassy phase above a certain temperature by a cooperative-like motion of icosahedral clusters. Quasicrystallization is accompanied by a significant change in the local environment around the Zr atoms and a slight change around the noble metal.

Highly dispersed Pd species active in the Suzuki-Miyaura reaction.

Structures of Pd/zeolites immersed in solvents were measured by in situ X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS). Systematic studies revealed that the selection of an appropriate support (USY-zeolite), thermal treatment temperature of USY, solvent (o-xylene), H(2) partial pressure (6%), and the use of a Pd amine complex affect the structure of Pd. As a result, we found that monomeric Pd can be obtained in the USY support with H(2) bubbling in o-xylene.

Evaluation of the local environment for nanoscale quasicrystal formation in Zr(80)Pt(20) glassy alloy using Voronoi analysis.

The local atomic structure of nano-quasicrystal-forming Zr(80)Pt(20) binary glassy alloy was investigated by reverse Monte Carlo modeling based on the results of x-ray diffraction. A prepeak at Q∼17 nm(-1) originating from the unique bonding between the Pt-Pt pair is observed in the structure factor. Voronoi analysis indicates that an icosahedral-like polyhedron is formed around Pt.