Functionalized platinum nanoparticles with surface charge trigged by pH: synthesis, characterization and stability...

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Chemistry

Background:

• Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) are crucial in catalysis and medicine.
• Controlling PtNP size, stability, and surface charge is essential for their application.
• Functionalization of nanoparticles offers tailored properties for specific uses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize and characterize functionalized platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs).
• To investigate the effect of capping agent concentration on PtNP properties.
• To confirm the stability and charge characteristics of the synthesized PtNPs.

Main Methods:

• Wet redox synthesis using 2-diethylaminoethanethiol hydrochloride (DEA) as a capping agent.
• Varying the platinum to thiol molar ratio to control particle size.
• Characterization using FTIR spectroscopy, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and ζ-potential measurements.

Main Results:

• Monodispersed PtNPs with diameters ranging from 3-40 nm were successfully synthesized.
• The amino functionality of DEA allowed for tunable surface charge (neutral to positive) based on pH.
• Long-term colloidal stability (up to three months) in water was confirmed.
• FE-SEM, DLS, and FTIR confirmed particle size, stability, and functionalization.

Conclusions:

• Functionalized PtNPs with controlled size and tunable surface charge can be synthesized via a wet redox method.
• The DEA capping agent provides stability and pH-dependent charge characteristics.
• These PtNPs demonstrate potential for various applications requiring stable, functionalized nanomaterials.