Dendrimer-Encapsulated Pt Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications to Catalysis

Abstract

Communication: Dendrimers act as templates for platinum nanoparticles. The authors describe a general synthetic approach whereby a dendrimer nanotemplate is loaded with Pt2+, which is reduced in situ to yield a dendrimer-encapsulated metal cluster. The clusters are monodisperse and very stable, and when attached to an electrode surface, they act as efficient electrocatalysts for O2 reduction (see Figure).