Layer‐by‐layer assembly of {chitosan/Pd}n multilayer film based on in‐situ photochemical reduction with excellent electrocatalytic properties

Abstract

Chitosan/palladium {CTS/Pd}n composite multilayer film was assembled based on layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique and in‐situ photo‐chemical reduction reaction, in which the CTS plays the role of a photo‐reduction agent and an assembly reagent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that spherical Pd nanoparticles with diameter of 20 nm are well‐dispersed in the composite multilayer films, and the size of Pd nanoparticles increased gradually with the extension of illumination time. Besides, the {CTS/Pd}n composite multilayer film exhibits linear, uniform and regular layer‐by‐layer growth. Furthermore, the {CTS/Pd}n composite multilayer film presents an excellent catalytic properties for oxygen reduction, and it has potential application in energy, chemical synthesis and biological processes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.