Unlocking the potential of silver-copper bimetallic nanoparticles: a review of recent advances, applications and future directions

Bimetallic nanoparticles (BMNPs) composed of coinage metals are receiving substantial attention due to their high stability, versatility, and biocompatibility compared with single-metal nanoparticles. Among these, silver-copper (Ag-Cu) BMNPs stand out as a particularly promising class of materials. The combination of silver and copper produces synergism, enabling them to function as an efficient material for several applications at a relatively low cost compared with other coinage metals such as gold and platinum. Considering the emergence of Ag-Cu BMNPs in material science, this review provides an overview of the synthesis methods, including physical, chemical, and biological methods, outlining their advantages, limitations, and practical considerations. The wide range of their potential applications is also examined, encompassing catalysis, medicine, agriculture, biosensing, electronics and optical technologies, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. Special emphasis is given on how factors such as atomic arrangement, mixing behavior, particle size, shape, and surface characteristics influence their performance. Overall, Ag-Cu BMNPs emerge as cost-effective, adaptable, and high-performance nanomaterials with considerable promise for addressing contemporary technological and environmental challenges.