Introduction

Nanoparticles have been widely used as catalysts in chemical precision reactions, have more found applications also in the fields of photonics and nanomedicine. Platinum nanoparticles, particularly, having mesoporous structures (pores with a diameter ranging from 2 to 50 nm), are attracting an increasing amount of attention due to their wider application range and effectiveness. Traditionally, templating agents such as polymers, surfactants and other materials, are used to construct the mesoporous structures. However, these agents, cannot always be fully unbound (removed) from the nanoparticles, hindering the nano-construct’s performance at the moment of use.  Furthermore, simple and eco-compatible methods for obtaining mesoporous platinum nanoparticles having controlled dimensions and shape, with homogenous porous structure have not yet been established.

Technical features

The mesoporous structure has a strong influence on the properties of the nanomaterial, in particular selectivity during catalytic reactions and interaction with light and living matter. To overcome this, a method has been developed void of templating agents able to produce nanoparticles with customisable mesoporous properties. A “seed mediated growth” (seed meaning a single platinum crystalline nanoparticle or multiple crystals having a certain structure, from which to form a large platinum nanoparticle), patented 2-step method that allows to meticulously control both the shape and pore size dimensions of mesoporous platinum nanoparticles, has been developed. For example, platinum nanoparticle seeds having average dimensions of between 1.5 nm and 3.5 nm have been used to synthesize spherical mesoporous platinum nanoparticles having average dimensions between 10 and 20 nm.

Possible Applications

• Chemical reactions;
• Photonics;
• Nanomedicine.

Advantages

• No templating agents required;
• 2-step simple reaction;
• Nanoparticles with controlled dimensions and shape.