Crooks and co-workers (University of Texas, USA) report the synthesis and characterization of Pt and Pd dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles (DENs) using the method of galvanic exchange. In the presence of either PtCl42− or PdCl42−, the less noble Cu DENs oxidize to Cu2+ leaving behind an equal-sized DEN of Pt or Pd, respectively. This methodology is shown to be much faster and giving higher yields than using the common synthetic route i.e. direct reduction with BH4−.Equally important, the detailed characterization presented demonstrates that the structure and composition of Pt and Pd DENs synthesized by direct BH4− reduction and galvanic exchange are indistinguishable.
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Synthesis, characterization, and electrocatalysis using Pt and Pd dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticles prepared by galvanic exchange
Surojit Pande, Michael G. Weir, Brian A. Zaccheo and Richard M. Crooks
New J. Chem., 2011, Advance Article DOI: 10.1039/C1NJ20083F, Paper.
