2-(3,4-Epoxycyclohexyl)Ethyltrimethoxysilane Intervened Synthesis of Functional PdNPs and Heterometallic Nanocrystallites; Deployed Into Catalysis

摘要

The synthesis of functional noble metal nanoparticles to explore their properties as a function of nanogeometry and synergism of multimetallic nanoparticles in both homogeneous and heterogeneous medium has been a challenging task. 2-(3,4-epoxycyclohexyl)ethyltrimethoxysilane (EET-MOS), one of the vital precursors of organically modified sol-gel glass (ormosils) offers tremendous reducing behavior. Article accounts the crucial role of EETMOS in the synthesis of stabilized PdNPs, and using them as template for further synthesizing Pd@Ru and Pd@Ru@Ag. EETMOS is found to undergo specific interaction with tetrachloropalladate(ll) resulting rapid synthesis of PdNPs. The as obtained PdNPs strategically allow controlled formation of bimetallic (Pd@Ru) and trimetallic Pd@Ru@Ag nanospheres. Their formation is unequivocally confirmed through UV-VIS, TEM, XPS etc. The as generated nanoparticles are converted into nanostructured thin film of organically modified silicates retaining their nanogeometry as evidenced from Atomic force microscopy for exploring the catalytic activity as a function of compositions and assembly. Such nanoparticle embedded ormosil matrix also facilitate the kinetics of electron transport from ormosil-encapsulated potassium ferricyanide as a function of nanogeometry and synergetic effect of nanoparticles.