Platinum Nanoparticle Catalyst Scavenges Hydrogen Peroxide Generated from Hydroquinone

Abstract

Abstract Platinum, palladium, gold, rhodium, and silver monometallic nanoparticles protected by poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), a water-soluble polymer, were prepared using an alcohol reduction method. Platinum/silver bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by self-organization from the platinum and silver monometallic nanoparticles. Platinum nanoparticles showed the highest catalytic activity for the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the monometallic nanoparticles used in this study. Platinum, silver, and platinum/silver nanoparticles effectively catalyzed the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide generated from the autooxidation of hydroquinone, a derivative of carcinogenic benzene. The autooxidation of hydroquinone itself was hardly inhibited by platinum nanoparticles. The platinum nanoparticles in particular showed the highest catalytic activity per unit atom. The activity of a 2 µg platinum nanoparticle was comparable to that of 20 units of catalase. The modification of platinum nanoparticles with silver rather suppressed the activity of hydrogen peroxide decomposition. These results suggest that Pt nanoparticles can be used as antioxidants against oxidative chemical compounds.