Rapid and Efficient Synthesis of Platinum Nanodendrites with High Surface Area by Chemical Reduction with Formic Acid

Abstract

Platinum nanoarchitectures consisting of a large number of edges and corner atoms are highly favorable for enhancing the catalytic performance and efficient utilization of platinum materials. In a recent study, we have shown that Pluronic F127 triblock copolymer can assist the formation of dendritic platinum nanoparticles (Wang, L.; Yamauchi, Y. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2009, 131, 9152−9153). Herein, we expand this concept to produce platinum nanodendrites (PNDs) with interconnected arms by using various types of nonionic organic molecules. The PDNs with complex nanoarchitectures are produced simply by sonicating treatment of an aqueous solution containing K2PtCl4 precursor and formic acid in the presence of nonionic organic molecules without the need for any template, seed-mediated growth, and additive. As-produced PDNs were shown to be active as nanoelectrocatalysts for electro-oxidation formic acid. The investigated nonionic organic molecules include nonionic surfactants, e.g., Pluronic F127, Brij 700, Tetron...