Is Pd2(DBA)3 a Feasible Precursor for the Synthesis of Pd Nanoparticles?

Abstract

The organometallic reagent tris(dibenzylideneacetone) dipalladium(0) [Pd2(DBA)3] has been used as a reagent for synthesis of hexagonal microstructures ranging from 0.5−10 μm. We have shown elsewhere that Pd2(DBA)3 spontaneously forms hexagonal and cubic microstructures. The results obtained herein confirm that microstructures formed by spontaneous aggregation of Pd2(DBA)3 produce the same morphology and carbonaceous chemical composition as those produced with a process that has been called RNA-mediation by pyridyl-modified RNA (pmRNA). Synthesis products from both methods of preparation were analyzed using a combination of scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), electron energy loss spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and selected area electron diffraction. Indexing of electron diffraction patterns from hexagonal molecular crystals and metallic Pd nanoparticles combined with STEM Z-contrast imaging and X-ray dot maps were used to positively differentiate the two materials. On the...