Fig. 1: Cohesive energy controlled selective-clustering mechanism of metals.

a Mechanism interpretation for the energy controlled clustering of two metals to respectively form SA or AC. b HAADF-STEM images and corresponding EDS mapping demonstrating the evolution of Ru and Ni species on NCB upon sintering. c The k3-weighted Fourier transform Ni and Ru EXAFS spectra of the product (red profiles) in b and standard metal foils (yellow profiles). d Schematic of multimetallic atomic aggregate (AA = SA/AC) composites formation based on energy-selective-clustering mechanism.