Shape-controlled synthesis of Pt nanocrystals: the role of metal carbonyls

ACS Nano. 2013 Jan 22;7(1):645-53. doi: 10.1021/nn3048439. Epub 2012 Dec 18.

Abstract

Well-controlled synthesis of nanocrystals is necessary to unambiguously correlate the structural properties of nanocrystals with the catalytic properties. The most common low-index surfaces are (111) and (100). Therefore, model materials with {111} and {100} facets are highly desirable, in order to understand the catalytic properties of (111) and (100) surfaces for various structure-sensitive reactions. We report a solution-phase synthesis using metal carbonyls as additives. This synthetic method produces highly monodisperse Pt octahedra and icosahedra as the model of Pt{111}, Pt cubes as the model of Pt{100}, respectively. Several other morphologies, such as truncated cubes, cuboctahedra, spheres, tetrapods, star-shaped octapods, multipods, and hyper-branched structure, are produced, as well. A bifunctional role of metal carbonyl in the synthesis is identified: zerovalent transition metal decomposed from metal carbonyl acts as a shape-directing agent, while CO provides the reducing power. These high-quality shape-controlled Pt nanocrystals are suitable for model catalyst studies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Catalysis
  • Crystallization / methods*
  • Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
  • Materials Testing
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure*
  • Molecular Conformation
  • Particle Size
  • Platinum / chemistry*
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Platinum