A rational approach for synthesizing bimetallic catalysts can be based on electrostatic
adsorption by exploiting the PZC differences between the catalyst support and a
supported metal oxide of one of the catalyst metals. The catalyst support is chosen with
a PZC different from the metal oxide, and the second metal catalyst precursor is made to
selectively adsorb onto the first metal oxide by appropriate control of solution pH.
Carbon is a particularly good support for this type of synthesis as it can be oxidized and
its PZC can be controlled (Hao 2006). As demonstrated in this work for PtCo and PdCo
on carbon, the severity of reduction can be used to produce either alloyed particles or
core shell structures.