Novel two-step synthesis of controlled size and shape platinum nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica

Uniform shape and size platinum nanoparticles encapsulated in mesoporous silica (SBA-15) were prepared in the same solution by a novel two-step method. Platinum nanoparticles were prepared in aqueous solution of K2PtCl4, the reduction was carried out by bubbling hydrogen, the capping material was tri-block poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) copolymer. The mesoporous silica was synthesized using the same copolymer as template from tetraethyl orthosilicate by hydrolysis in acidic conditions. The Pt-nanoparticles-in-mesoporous-silica system was characterized by a combination of low-angle powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and N-2 porosimetry. The platinum nanoparticles are encapsulated in the mesopores and retained their size and morphology. It appears that this hybrid material should be a superior three-dimensional high-surface-area catalyst for selective platinum-catalyzed reactions.