Metal nanoparticles in ionic liquids: Synthesis and catalytic applications

Abstract

• Nanoparticles of many metals can be obtained in ionic liquids by physical, chemical, and electrochemical methods. • The ionic liquids medium stabilizes metal nanoparticles without additional stabilizers, surfactants, or capping ligand. • Ionic liquids allow to control the size and shape of metal nanoparticles thus improving their catalytic activity. • Electrochemical approaches allow a smart control of the size, shape, and crystal structure of metal nanoparticles. • Applications of metal nanoparticles in catalysis provide a driving force for developing new nanoscale materials. The development of metal nanoparticle chemistry in ionic liquids (ILs) media has had a paramount impact on various fields, including catalysis, energy research, nanotechnology and materials science, among many other directions. This review highlights various methods for producing metal nanoparticles in ILs, with particular focus on palladium, platinum, ruthenium, copper, nickel, cobalt, gold, silver, iron and alloys. The scope of methods includes chemical syntheses as well as electrochemical and physical approaches. Due to strong practical demand, a particular emphasis is placed on the catalytic activity of the obtained nanoparticles in a variety of reactions.