An efficient and reusable silica/dendrimer supported platinum catalyst for electron transfer reactions

A series of Pt nanoparticles (NPs) smaller than 3 nm were successfully encapsulated in dendrimer/SBA-15 organic and inorganic hybrid composite. The obtained catalysts were characterized by XPS, XRD and TEM. The results of XPS and XRD indicate the existence of Pt NPs in the hybrid matrix. TEM images display the Pt NPs with narrow size distribution are monodispersed in SBA-15 channels. Catalytic property of the supported Pt catalysts was investigated in inorganic (ferricyanide to ferrocyanide by thiosulfate) and organic (p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol by sodium borohydride) electron transfer (redox) reactions. In both cases, the reduction reactions followed smoothly and the catalysts showed excellent catalytic activity. Moreover, the catalysts can be easily separated and reused several times preserving good catalytic performance.

Pt nanoparticles less than 3 nm have been successfully encapsulated in the silica/dendrimer hybrid composite with narrow size distribution. They exhibit good catalytic performance in the electron transfer reactions.Figure optionsDownload high-quality image (140 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights
► The size of Pt nanoparticles is smaller than 3 nm.
► The Pt NPs are highly dispersed in the channels of SBA-15.
► The Pt NPs exhibit good catalytic performance in electron transfer reactions.
► The Pt catalysts can be separated and reused for several times without significant loss in catalytic activity.