Core–Shell Synthesis of a Novel, Spherical, Mesoporous Silica/Platinum Nanocomposite: Pt/PVP@MCM‐41

Abstract

A spherical, disordered, wormhole-like nanocomposite, consisting of 115 nm diameter MCM-41 particles containing 3 nm diameter Pt nanoparticles (see Figure), is described. A surfactant that stabilizes and prevents aggregation of the Pt nanoparticles during synthesis is removed by calcination, resulting in a high Pt catalytic surface area. Multiple cycles of cinnamic acid hydrogenation at room temperature demonstrate the potential of this reusable catalytic nanocomposite.