High catalytic activity of platinum nanoparticles immobilized on spherical polyelectrolyte brushes

We present a study on the catalytic activity of platinum nanoparticles immobilized on spherical polyelectrolyte brushes that act as carriers. The spherical polyelectrolyte brushes consist of a solid core of poly(styrene) onto which long chains of poly(2-methylpropenoyloxyethyl) trimethylammonium chloride are grafted. These positively charged chains form a dense layer of polyelectrolytes on the surface of the core particles ("spherical polyelectrolyte brush") that tightly binds divalent PtCl6-(2) ions. The reduction of these ions within the brush layer leads to nearly monodisperse nanoparticles of metallic platinum. The average size of the particles is approximately 2 nm. The composite particles exhibit excellent colloidal stability. The catalytic activity is investigated by photometrically monitoring the reduction of p-nitrophenol by an excess of NaBH4 in the presence of the nanoparticles. The kinetic data could be explained by the assumption of a pseudo-first-order reaction with regard to p-nitrophenol. In all cases, a delay time t0 has been observed, after which the reactions start. This time is shorter when the catalyst has already been used. All data demonstrate that spherical polyelectrolyte brushes present an ideal carrier system for metallic nanoparticles.