Electroless synthesis of multibranched gold nanostructures encapsulated by poly(o-phenylenediamine) in Nafion

Multibranched gold (Au) nanocomposite materials encapsulated by poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PoPD) (Au@PoPD) were synthesized in a Nafion polymer film through the electroless synthetic route. The micro-heterogeneous structured Nafion film acted as a reaction vessel and as the template for the formation of Au@PoPD nanocomposite materials leading to the formation of highly uniform distribution of high density of the polymer–gold nanocomposite material. The formation of Au@PoPD nanomaterials at the GP/Nf surface was scrutinized by recording in situ absorption spectra and was characterized. The formation of the (1 1 1) plane of gold was dominant at the Au@PoPD nanocomposite. The ratio of the benzenoid and quinoid units of the PoPD (ca. 1.65) observed for the Au@PoPD confirmed that the micro-heterogeneous structure of Nf film acted as a reaction vessel and as template for the formation of Au@PoPD nanocomposite material. Both PoPD and Au at the Au@PoPD nanocomposite showed electrochemical activities at the GC/Nf–Au@PoPD modified electrode. The electrocatalytic activity of the GC/Nf–Au@PoPD modified electrode was studied for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR).

Graphical abstractNovel PoPD encapsulated cactus like Au nanocomposites materials were synthesized in Nafion film through the electroless synthetic route.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (134 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► o-Phenylenediamine (oPD) acts as a reducing agent and PoPD encapsulates Aunano. ► First report on the preparation of cactus like Aunano@PoPD in Nafion matrix. ► Nafion film acts as a reaction vessel and as the template for Aunano formation. ► Both PoPD and Aunano are electrochemically active.