Synthesis and characterization of Rh(PVP) nanoparticles studied by XPS and NEXAFS

Rhodium nanoparticles were synthesized by the reduction of Rh3+ ion in ethanol solvent with use of the polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) of various molecular weights and the solvent of different volume ratios of water to ethanol. The formed Rh(PVP) nanoparticles have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and near edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) techniques. The TEM and AFM results show that the Rh(PVP) nanoparticles are monodispersed and do not agglomerate with each other. The particle size can be controlled by the molecular weight of PVP and/or the water/ethanol ratio of the solvent. The XPS and NEXAFS results indicate that the chlorine derived from RhCl3(3H2O) remains in the obtained nanoparticles but can be removed by heating.