Facile synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of nanoporous supports loaded with monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles

Abstract

Abstract When an aqueous platinum chloride or mixed rhodium and platinum chloride solutions are added to a mixture of lecithin, AOT and titanium isopropoxide (TIP) in isooctane, the surfactants partition the aqueous and oil phases into a nanoscale bicontinuous microstructure. Hydrolysis and condensation of the TIP generates a highly connected porous anatase support. Reduction of the metal salt/s in the confined aqueous nanodomains of the bicontinuous template results in monometallic or bimetallic alloy NPs. The NPs are well-distributed throughout the interior surfaces of the support. This route, where monometallic and bimetallic nanoparticles are synthesized together with the support material, can be exploited for generating diverse catalytically active materials for various applications.