One-step synthesis of platinum nanoparticles loaded in alginate bubbles

Composite particles with multifunctions have been extensively utilized for various applications. Bubble particles can be applied for ultrasound-mediated imaging, drug delivery, absorbers, cell culture, etc. This study proposes a one-step strategy to obtain Pt nanoparticles loaded in alginate bubbles. A needle-based droplet formation was used to generate uniform alginate particles about 2 mm in diameter. The hydrolysis reaction of NaBH4 was utilized to produce gaseous hydrogen and then trapped within alginate particles to form bubbles. The Pt(4+) mixed with alginate solution was dropped into the reservoir to react with reducing NaBH4 and hardening CaCl2 to form Pt nanoparticles-alginate composite bubbles. Results indicate that the size of bubbles decreases with the CaCl2 concentration (1% ~ 20%), and size of bubbles increases with the NaBH4 concentration (1 ~ 20 mM). The advantages for the present approach include low cost, easy operation, and effective production of Pt nanoparticles-alginate composite bubbles.