Abstract
Our work presents, for the first time, a comprehensive study of the synthesis of fully metallic platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) involving the ablation process in double distilled water using a KrF excimer laser. To obtain detailed information on Pt-NP morphology and optical properties, prepared colloids were characterized using High Resolution Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-STEM) with advanced capabilities for Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis (EDX), UV/Vis optical spectroscopy, and Direct Analysis in Real Time—Mass Spectrometry (DART-MS). The influence of the applied laser fluence and laser repetition rate (RR) values on the characteristics of the obtained Pt-NPs and the ablation process, respectively, were also analyzed. Spherical and spherical-like nanoparticles exhibiting aggregation were produced. The Pt-NP mean size values were between 2.2 ± 1.2 nm and 4.0 ± 1.0 nm, while their interplanar distance measurements showed a face-centered cubic (FFC) Pt lattice (111), as revealed by HR–STEM measurements, for all investigated samples. The smallest mean size of 2.2 nm of the Pt-NPs was obtained using a 2.3 J cm−2 laser fluence at a 10 Hz RR, and the narrowest size distribution of the NPs was obtained with a 2.3 J cm−2 laser fluence at a 40 Hz RR. A linear dependence of the Pt-NP diameters versus the laser repetition rate was found at a constant fluence of 2.3 J cm−2. The proposed eco-friendly synthesis route of Pt-NPs, because of its relative simplicity, has the potential for use in industrial production.
Highlights
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutralColloidal platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) have attracted significant attention due to their physical and chemical properties, including stability, dispersion, size, shape, and morphology, which further determine their final applications, ranging from biotechnology to electronics
They may act as strong catalysts for the reduction of polluting gases generated by vehicles [1] or for the elimination of nitrous oxide generated in combustion processes [2], and they may enhance the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions during the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells [1,3]
The Pt-NP samples were labelled from S1 to S15, and the corresponding fabrication parameters used in pulsed laser ablation in a liquid environment (PLAL) are listed in Table 1: sample index, laser energy, repetition rate (RR) (Hz), the total number of laser shots, fluence (J cm−2 ), the final volume of the colloid, and lost volume during ablation
Summary
Colloidal platinum nanoparticles (Pt-NPs) have attracted significant attention due to their physical and chemical properties, including stability, dispersion, size, shape, and morphology, which further determine their final applications, ranging from biotechnology to electronics. They may act as strong catalysts for the reduction of polluting gases generated by vehicles [1] or for the elimination of nitrous oxide generated in combustion processes [2], and they may enhance the catalytic activity for oxygen reduction reactions during the operation of proton exchange membrane fuel cells [1,3]. The extremely wide range of Pt-NP applications includes coatings [10], textiles [11], nanofibers [12], plastics [13], magnetic nanopowders [14], multifunctional membranes [15], and cancer with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations
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