Two types of nanoclusters, termed Cluster (1) and Cluster (2) here, both play an important role in the age-hardening behavior in Al-Mg-Si alloys. Small amounts of additions of Cu and Ag affect the formation of nanoclusters. Two exothermic peaks were clearly detected in differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) curves by means of peak separation by the Gaussian method in the base, Cu-added, Ag-added and Cu-Ag-added Al-Mg-Si alloys. The formation of nanoclusters in the initial stage of natural aging was suppressed in the Ag-added and Cu-Ag-added alloys, while the formation of nanoclusters was enhanced at an aging time longer than 259.2 ks(3 days) of natural aging with the addition Cu and Ag. The formation of nanoclusters while aging at 100˚C was accelerated in the Cu-added, Ag-added and Cu-Ag-added alloys due to the attractive interaction between the Cu and Ag atoms and the Mg atoms. The influence of additions of Cu and Ag on the clustering behavior during low-temperature aging was well characterized based on the interaction energies among solute atoms and on vacancies derived from the first-principle calculation of the full-potential Korrinaga-Kohn-Rostoker(FPKKR)-Green function method. The effects of low Cu and Ag additions on the formation of nanoclusters were also discussed based on the age-hardening phenomena.

Modified inert gas condensation method was used to produce the nanocluster composites of . High-resolution TEM, SEM and catalytic measurements have been used to characterize the samples and study the synergistic effect between the CuO phase and (ceria) support. By varying the He pressure, the heating temperature and configuration of the heating boats inside the modified gas condensation chamber, nanoclusters of varying sizes, shapes and composition can be produced. The composition and nanostructured morphology were shown to influence the catalytic properties of the system. A copper content around 10 at% with a morphology that favors high-energy surfaces of ceria is shown to be beneficial for a high catalytic activity.