Synthesized Cu-Pt NPs using PEI as a stabilizer, NaBH4 as the reducing agent, CuCl2 and H2PtCl6 as the Cu and Pt precursors respectively via a slow chemical co-reduction method. XRD was conducted using a Rigaku mini-flex XRD device. After trying to identify the phases of CuPt in my product by matching it with the closest JCPDS card. I observed crystallographic peaks at 36.1, 60.90 and 72.96, 2 theta values which did not even correspond to known peaks in any of the cards in the CuPt system. Please I am looking for help on how to identify these peaks . I have attached an image below.
The XRD pattern of the Cu-Pt sample annealed at 300 °C shows the formation of the primary CuPt phase with an fcc structure, as confirmed by the standard JCPDS card. However, the presence of additional peaks at 36.1°, 60.9°, and 72.96° 2θ—absent in the reference pattern—suggests the possible formation of secondary phases such as copper oxides (CuO or Cu₂O), intermetallics like Cu₃Pt or CuPt₃, or residual precursor salts (e.g., NaCl or metal chlorides) due to incomplete washing or reduction. To accurately identify these unknown peaks, it is recommended to perform Rietveld refinement, consult additional JCPDS cards, and complement the analysis with techniques such as TEM, EDS, or XPS.
Dear Osondu Alphonsus Ugochukwu,
The PDF-5+ database (https://www.icdd.com/pdf-5/) and the Qualx2 software (https://www.ba.ic.cnr.it/softwareic/qualx/) can be used for qualitative phase analysis of powder diffraction data via the search-match method. The latter program is available free of charge to academic institutions and uses the COD database.
Best regards
Analio Dugarte-Dugarte
In my experience, from the 1970's, use of NaBH4 as a reducing agent ALWAYS leads to incorporation of intractable boron into the matrix. That's why I always preferred use of solutions of hydrazine hydrate for such reductions,
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