Fabrication of polyoxometallate-modified gold nanoparticles and their utilization as supports for dispersed platinum in electrocatalysis

The usefulness of Keggin-type anions (PMo12O403−) as both reducing, capping and activating agents during synthesis of polyoxometallate-modified gold nanoparticles is demonstrated here. Fabrication of gold nanoparticles stabilized with monolayer-type films of inorganic polyoxometallates (e.g. phosphododecamolybdates), Au-PMo12, was achieved by treating an aqueous solution of gold precursor (HAuCl4) with a solution of the partially reduced heteropolyblue molybdate. The choice of temperature strongly affected morphology and size of the resulting Au nanoparticles. The presence of strongly adsorbed molybdate-agents on surfaces of gold nanoparticles was evident from the independent infrared (FTIR by reflectance) and voltammetric experiments. Interfacial polymolybdate anions on Au prevent the particle agglomeration and support formation of the stable colloidal Au-PMo12 solutions. They are colored due to existence of the plasmonic effect. The Au-PMo12 nanoparticles typically had 30–40 nm diameters, and they were used as supports or carriers for dispersed catalytic platinum nanoparticles (of ca. 7–8 nm diameters). Polyoxometallates (PMo12O403−) existing on gold surfaces could also interact with neighboring platinum centers thus acting as “linking” agents facilitating dispersion of Pt nanoparticles. Further, the phosphomolybdate adsorbates (on Au supports) are also likely to activate Pt sites (e.g. by providing reactive hydroxy groups) towards more efficient electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol both under voltammetric and chronoamperometric conditions.

► Keggin-type phosphomolybdates have been utilized to fabricate and stabilize gold nanoparticles of 30–40 nm diameters.
► Phoshomolybdates have acted as reducing, capping and activating agents during preparation of gold nanoclusters.
► Polyoxometallate-modified gold nanostructures have served as active supports for dispersed platinum during electrooxidation of ethanol.