Microgels as Soluble Scaffolds for the Preparation of Noble Metal Nanoparticles Supported on Nanostructured Metal Oxides

An approach for the preparation of noble metal nanoparticles supported on nanostructured metal oxides is described herein. The approach is based on the sequential generation of the noble metal nanoparticles and of a metal oxide phase inside a cross-linked polymer colloid (microgel). By tuning the properties of the employed microgel, the nature and amount of both the noble metal nanoparticles and the metal oxide phase can be independently varied. The resulting composite colloids are colloidally stable and, upon isolation by precipitation and subsequent calcination, produce noble metal nanoparticles dispersed on a crystalline, nanostructured oxide phase. Preliminary catalytic tests provide information on the accessibility of the noble metal nanoparticles and, particularly in the case of gold, result in promising catalytic performances in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols.

Automated summary

The method involves the sequential generation of noble metal nanoparticles and metal oxide phase inside a cross-linked polymer colloid, allowing independent tuning of their properties and amounts. The resulting composite colloids, when isolated by precipitation and subsequent calcination, exhibit noble metal nanoparticles dispersed on a crystalline, nanostructured oxide phase. Preliminary catalytic tests show promising catalytic performances, particularly in the case of gold, in the aerobic oxidation of alcohols.