Sol-Gel Preparation of Coating Films Containing Noble Metal Colloids

Coating films containing Au, Ag, Pt and Pd metal colloids have been prepared by sol-gel processing. It is shown that for oxide films the temperature where the metal particles are precipitated by heating in air depends on metal species: 200°C for Au, 600°C for Ag, 800°C for Pt and 1000°C for Pd. The use of reducing atmosphere lowers the temperature for formation of noble metal colloids. This procedure can be used for direct formation of metal colloids from metal ions in the film as well as reduction of oxide particles to metal particles in the film. For an organic-inorganic matrix, noble metal colloids are precipitated by thermal reduction or photo-reduction. Thermal reduction occurs as a result of reduction by decomposing organic matter. Photo-reduction occurs as a result of UV irradiation.     

PEDOT-supported Pd nanoparticles as a catalyst for hydrazine oxidation

Composite poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT)/palladium (Pd) films were obtained by chemical deposition of dispersed palladium nanoparticles into PEDOT conducting polymer matrix. The amounts of palladium particles incorporated into PEDOT films were estimated by electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance measurements. It was shown that palladium loading depends on the time a PEDOT film is exposed in the solution, containing Pd(II)-ions, on the concentration of Pd(II) ions and the film thickness. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy data have confirmed the presence of metallic palladium in the polymer. The morphology of pristine and composite films as well as the size of Pd nanoparticles and their distribution were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). From SEM images, it was found that Pd particles decorated PEDOT globular structures as quasi-spherical particles, and their mean size was dependent on synthesis conditions. The nanoparticles were non-uniformly dispersed on the polymer surface. The comparison of TEM images of composite PEDOT/Pd films obtained for different times of metal loading was made. The remarkable effect of loading time on the size of particles has been established: the mean size of dominating palladium particles was close to 6–10 nm for 30 s of metal deposition, and it was getting larger with the increase of deposition time (close to 15–30 nm for 120 s). It is most likely that with prolongation of synthesis time, the deposition of palladium predominantly proceeds on the already deposited palladium clusters, resulting in the extension growth of their size. Catalytic properties of PEDOT/Pd composite films were studied in respect to hydrazine oxidation by cyclic voltammetry and voltammetry on rotating disk electrode. The obtained data allow to conclude that the process of hydrazine oxidation on PEDOT/Pd composites takes place predominantly on palladium particles, located on the surface or in the near-surface layers of the polymer. The diffusion nature of the limiting current of hydrazine oxidation on composite PEDOT/Pd film in phosphate buffer solution рН = 6.86 was confirmed, and hydrazine diffusion coefficient was calculated. The increase of the limiting currents of hydrazine oxidation with the increase of Pd deposition time was observed, resulting from the increase of the active surface area of palladium particles, acting as microelectrodes. The electroanalytical applications of these nanocomposite materials for the determination of hydrazine were demonstrated.     

Preparation and characterization of metal-chitosan nanocomposites

Various metal-chitosan nanocomposites were synthesized, including silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and palladium (Pd) in aqueous solutions. Metal nanoparticles were formed by reduction of corresponding metal salts with NaBH4 in the presence of chitosan. And chitosan molecules adsorbing onto the surface of as-prepared metal nanoparticles formed the corresponding metal-chitosan nanocomposites. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and UV-vis spectra of the nanocomposites revealed the presence of metal nanoparticles. Comparison of all the resulting particles size, it shows that silver nanoparticles are much larger than others (Au, Pt and Pd). In addition, the difference in particles size leads to develop different morphologies in the films cast from prepared metal-chitosan nanocomposites. Polarized optical microscopy (POM) images show a batonet-like structure for Ag-chitosan nanocomposites film, while for the films cast from other metal (Au, Pt, and Pd)-chitosan nanocomposites, some branched-like structures with a few differences among them were observed under POM observation.     

Interaction of NO2 with Model NSR Catalysts: Metal–Oxide Interaction Controls Initial NOx Storage Mechanism

Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), molecular‐beam (MB) methods and time‐resolved infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (TR‐IRAS), we investigate the mechanism of initial NO_x uptake on a model nitrogen storage and reduction (NSR) catalyst. The model system is prepared by co‐deposition of Pd metal particles and Ba‐containing oxide particles onto an ordered alumina film on NiAl(110). We show that the metal–oxide interaction between the active noble metal particles and the NO_x storage compound in NSR model catalysts plays an important role in the reaction mechanism. We suggest that strong interaction facilitates reverse spillover of activated oxygen species from the NO_x storage compound to the metal. This process leads to partial oxidation of the metal nanoparticles and simultaneous stabilization of the surface nitrite intermediate.     

Electrochemistry of conductive polymers 39. Contacts between conducting polymers and noble metal nanoparticles studied by current-sensing atomic force microscopy

Electrical properties of contacts formed between conducting polymers and noble metal nanoparticles have been examined using current-sensing atomic force microscopy (CS-AFM). Contacts formed between electrochemically prepared pi-conjugated polymer films such as polypyrrole (PPy), poly(3-methylthiophene) (P3MeT), as well as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) and noble metal nanoparticles including platinum (Pt), gold (Au), and silver (Ag) have been examined. The Pt nanoparticles were electrochemically deposited on a pre-coated PPy film surface by reducing a platinum precursor (PtCl62-) at a constant potential. Both current and scanning electron microscopic images of the film showed the presence of Pt islands. The Au and Ag nanoparticles were dispersed on the P3MeT and PEDOT film surfaces simply by dipping the polymer films into colloid solutions containing Au or Ag particles for specified periods (5 to approximately 10 min). The deposition of Au or Ag particles resulted from either their physical adsorption or chemical bonding between particles and the polymer surface depending on the polymer. When compared with PPy, P3MeT and PEDOT showed a stronger binding to Au or Ag nanoparticles when dipped in their colloidal solutions for the same period. This indicates that Au and Ag particles are predominantly linked with the sulfur atoms via chemical bonding. Of the two, PEDOT was more conductive at the sites where the particles are connected to the polymer. It appears that PEDOT has better aligned sulfur atoms on the surface and is strongly bonded to Au and Ag nanoparticles due to their strong affinity to gold and silver. The current-voltage curves obtained at the metal islands demonstrate that the contacts between these metal islands and polymers are ohmic.     

In Situ Fabrication of Noble Metal Nanoparticles Modified Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Related Electrocatalysis

Using multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) as templates, noble metal (Au, Ag, Pt or Pd) nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated in situ by electrochemistry with a diameter of 40–60 nm. Further, catalytic behaviors of these composite materials were investigated. Experiments showed that such carbon nanotubes decorated with Pd NPs modified glassy carbon electrodes exhibited higher electrocatalytic ability to some molecules such as evolution of hydrogen, reduction of oxygen and oxidation of ascorbic acid. Atomic force microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry were used to characterize the film formation and their properties.     

Ex Situ Scanning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) Investigation of Bismuth‐ and Bismuth/Lead Alloy Film‐Modified Gold Electrodes in Alkaline Medium

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) in feedback mode was employed to characterise the reactivity and microscopic peculiarities of bismuth and bismuth/lead alloys plated onto gold disk substrates in 0.1 mol L^?1 NaOH solutions. Methyl viologen was used as redox mediator, while a platinum microelectrode was employed as the SECM tip. The metal films were electrodeposited ex situ from NaOH solutions containing either bismuth ions only or both bismuth and lead ions. Approach curves and SECM images indicated that the metal films were conductive and locally reactive with oxygen to provide Bi³⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions. The occurrence of the latter chemical reactions was verified by local anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) at the substrate solution interface by using a mercury‐coated platinum SECM tip. The latter types of measurements allowed also verifying that lead was not uniformly distributed onto the bismuth film electrode substrate. These findings were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy images. The surface heterogeneity produced during the metal deposition process, however, did not affect the analytical performance of the bismuth coated gold electrode in anodic stripping voltammetry for the determination of lead in alkaline media, even in aerated aqueous solutions. Under the latter conditions, stripping peak currents proportional to lead concentration with a satisfactory reproducibility (within 5 % RSD) were obtained.     

ITO基底上ZnO薄膜的制备以及刻蚀图形的扫描电化学显微镜表征

在氧化铟锡(ITO)导电玻璃的衬底上,利用直接电沉积方法制备了ZnO纳米线或ZnO薄膜.然后利用存储有HCI刻蚀剂的琼脂糖微图案印章对其进行了化学刻蚀以形成不同的图形.利用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)和扫描电化学显微镜(SECM)分别对ITO衬底上的ZnO薄膜的结构、形貌和电化学性质进行表征.     

Influence of the preparation method on the surface characteristics and activity of boron-nitride-supported noble metal catalysts

In this article, we report how variations in the preparation method of boron-nitride-supported noble metal catalysts may influence the surface characteristics of the active phase and consequently the potential applications as catalysts for oxidation reactions. The deposition and the dispersion of the active phase are strongly influenced by the preparation process and in particular by the protic or aprotic solvent used as the dispersing phase; in this study, benzene, glyme, water, tetrahydrofuran, diglyme, 2-propanol, and glycol have been investigated. Characterization techniques, such as Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, have been used to study the influence of the choice of a solvent phase on the particle size and dispersion of the metal deposited on the BN support. The modifications undergone by the support during the deposition of palladium in different solvents have also been studied. Through the use of the same deposition procedure, different noble metal coatings (Pt, Pd, Au, and Ag) have been prepared. The acidic and redox characteristics of the resulting samples were characterized by temperature-programmed reduction and adsorption microcalorimetry. The catalytic performances of these materials were tested in the total oxidation of methane in lean conditions (excess oxygen and presence of water).     

Model oxide-supported metal catalysts--comparison of ultrahigh vacuum and solution based preparation of Pd nanoparticles on a single-crystalline oxide substrate

Using single-crystalline Fe(3)O(4)(111) films grown over Pt(111) in UHV as a model-support, we have characterized the nucleation behaviour and chemical properties of Pd particles grown over the film using different deposition techniques with scanning tunnelling microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison of Pd/Fe(3)O(4) samples created via Pd evaporation under UHV conditions and those resulting from the solution deposition of Pd-hydroxo complexes reveals that changes in the interfacial functionalization of such samples (i.e. roughening and hydroxylation) govern the differences in Pd nucleation behavior observed over pristine oxides relative to those exposed to alkaline solutions. Furthermore, it appears that other differences in the nature of the Pd precursor state (i.e. gas-phase Pd in UHV vs. [Pd(OH)(2)](n) aqueous complexes) play a negligible role in Pd nucleation and growth behaviour at elevated temperatures in UHV, suggesting facile decomposition of the Pd complexes deposited from the liquid phase. Applying temperature programmed desorption and infrared spectroscopy to probe the CO chemisorption properties of such samples after reduction in different reagents (CO, H(2)) shows the formation of bimetallic PdFe alloys following reduction in H(2), but monometallic Pd particles after CO reduction.     

Particle size dependent adsorption and reaction kinetics on reduced and partially oxidized Pd nanoparticles

Combining scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), IR reflection absorption spectroscopy (IRAS) and molecular beam (MB) techniques, we have investigated particle size effects on a Pd/Fe(3)O(4) model catalyst. We focus on the particle size dependence of (i) CO adsorption, (ii) oxygen adsorption and (iii) Pd nanoparticle oxidation/reduction. The model system, which is based on Pd nanoparticles supported on an ordered Fe(3)O(4) film on Pt(111), is characterized in detail with respect to particle morphology, nucleation, growth and coalescence behavior of the Pd particles. Morphological changes upon stabilization by thermal treatment in oxygen atmosphere are also considered. The size of the Pd particles can be varied roughly between 1 and 100 nm. The growth and morphology of the Pd particles on the Fe(3)O(4)/Pt(111) film were characterized by STM and IRAS of adsorbed CO as a probe molecule. It was found that very small Pd particles on Fe(3)O(4) show a strongly modified adsorption behavior, characterized by atypically weak CO adsorption and a characteristic CO stretching frequency around 2130 cm(-1). This modification is attributed to a strong interaction with the support. Additionally, the kinetics of CO adsorption was studied by sticking coefficient experiments as a function of particle size. For small particles it is shown that the CO adsorption rate is significantly enhanced by the capture zone effect. The absolute size of the capture zone was quantified on the basis of the STM and sticking coefficient data. Finally, oxygen adsorption was studied by means of MB CO titration experiments. Pure chemisorption of oxygen is observed at 400 K, whereas at 500 K partial oxidation of the particles occurs. The oxidation behavior reveals strong kinetic hindrances to oxidation for larger particles, whereas facile oxidation and reduction are observed for smaller particles. For the latter, estimates point to the formation of oxide layers which, on average, are thicker than the surface oxides on corresponding single crystal surfaces.     

Compositional and electrochemical characterization of noble metal-diamondlike carbon nanocomposite thin films

A detailed characterization of platinum- and gold-diamondlike carbon (DLC) nanocomposite films deposited onto silicon substrates is presented. A modified pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique was used to incorporate noble metal nanoclusters into hydrogen-free DLC films. Several analytical techniques, including transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and nanoindentation testing, were used to investigate these thin films in an effort to determine their physical and electrochemical properties. Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy indicated that the gold- and platinum-DLC films contain metal concentrations between three and 36 atomic percent. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy revealed that metal is present as arrays of noble metal islands embedded within the DLC matrix, while atomic force microscopy provided evidence of target splashing. In addition, due to the inclusion of metal, metal-DLC thin films exhibited greater conductivity than their metal-free counterparts. The electrochemical properties were studied using quasi-reversible redox couples and correlated to the metal concentration. Finally, the influence of the layer's composition on the electron-transfer kinetics and the achievable working potential window is discussed. The results discussed herein suggest that metal-DLC thin films grown by pulsed laser deposition present a promising alternative electrode material for electrochemistry.     

Fabrication of monometallic (Co,Pd, Pt,Au) and bimetallic (Pt/Au,Au/Pt) thin films with hierarchical architectures as electrocatalysts

Co thin films with novel hierarchical structures were controllably fabricated by simple electrochemical deposition in the absence of hard and soft templates, which were used as sacrificial templates to further prepare noble metal (Pd, Pt, Au) hierarchical micro/nanostructures via metal exchange reactions. SEM characterization demonstrated that the resulting noble metal thin films displayed hierarchical architectures. The as-prepared noble metal thin films could be directly used as the anode catalysts for the electro-oxidation of formic acid. Moreover, bimetallic catalysts (Pt/Au, Au/Pt) fabricated based on the monometallic Au, Pt micro/nanostructures exhibited the higher catalytic activity compared to the previous monometallic catalysts.     

Synthesis and structure of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene film with the inclusions of palladium nanoparticles

By chemical deposition of ultrafine particles of metallic palladium on the polymer matrix of poly-3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT) composite PEDOT/Pd films were obtained. The conditions of synthesis of the composite films in dependence on the duration of exposure of the reduced form of PEDOT film in a solution of palladium chloride, its concentration and the film thickness were studied. By the methods of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) it was shown that in the process of the synthesis of the composite films the nanosized palladium particles of predominantly quasispherical shape precipitated on the globular structure of the polymer. The size of the palladium nanoparticles in the composite PEDOT film and the nature of their distribution over the film bulk were revealed. An increase in the duration of deposition of the palladium nanoparticles on the film was shown to lead to an increase in their size and in the density of particles in the film.     

单晶硅表面贵金属晶粒层的制备

将预处理过的单晶硅p-Si(100)浸入含贵金属盐的HF溶液, 制备了Ag, Au, Pd和Pt的晶粒层. 用原子力显微镜(AFM)、开路电位(OCP)、循环伏安(CV)和交流阻抗(A. C. Impedance)方法对晶粒层性能进行了考察. 形貌显示, 在浸镀20 s后, Ag和Pd晶粒层基本上覆盖了硅基底, Ag颗粒致密, Pd颗粒之间仍有空隙且晶粒较Ag大. Au晶粒层部分覆盖了基底, 而Pt只有极少数的晶粒. 60 s后, Ag, Pd和Au晶粒层都完全覆盖了基底, 而Pt晶粒仍然较少, 但晶粒有所长大. 循环伏安显示, Pd的溶出峰电流比Ag, Au, Pt高1个数量级. 交流阻抗测量表明, Pd晶粒层阻抗最小. 结果表明, Ag, Pd和Au都能用浸入沉积的方法在单晶硅上短时间内制备出晶粒层, 而Pt不能, 选用哪种晶粒层, 需要根据后续工序和实际需要而定.     

Probing the interface in vapor-deposited bimetallic Pd-Au and Pt-Au films by CO adsorption from the liquid phase

Bimetallic Pd-Au and Pt-Au and monometallic Pd, Pt, and Au films were prepared by physical vapor deposition. The resulting surfaces were characterized by means of XPS, AFM, and CO adsorption from the liquid phase (CH2Cl2) monitored by ATR-IR spectroscopy. CO adsorption combined with ATR-IR proved to be a very sensitive method for probing the degree of interdiffusion occurring at the interfaces whose properties were altered by variation of the Pd and Pt film thickness from 0.2 to 2 nm. Because no CO adsorption was observed on Au, the evaporation of Pt-group metals on Au allowed us to study the effect of dilution on the adsorption properties of the surfaces. At equivalent Pd film thickness, the evaporation of Au reduced the amount of adsorbed CO and caused the formation of 2-fold bridging CO, which was almost absent in monometallic surfaces. Additionally, the average particle size on Pd-Au surfaces was smaller than that on monometallic Pd surfaces. The results indicate that a Pd/Au diffuse interface is formed that affects the Pd particle size even more drastically than the simple decrease in Pd film thickness in monometallic surfaces. Pt-Au surfaces were less sensitive to CO adsorption, indicating that the two metals do not mix to a significant extent. The difference in the interfacial behavior of Pd and Pt in the bimetallic gold films is traced to the largely different Pd-Au and Pt-Au miscibility gaps.     

Oxidation of ethanol on carbon-supported oxide-rich Pd–W bimetallic nanoparticles in alkaline media

Carbon-supported oxide-rich Pd–W bimetallic nanoparticles were prepared by chemical reduction methods. The existence of oxides in the electrocatalysts is confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy. XPS analysis indicates that the oxygen atoms account for about 50% of all the atoms in Pd–W bimetallic nanoparticles. Compared to Pd/C catalyst, the carbon-supported oxide-rich Pd–W bimetallic nanoparticles exhibit a better catalytic activity for the anode oxidation of ethanol in alkaline media. The onset potential of the as prepared oxide-rich Pd_0.8W_0.2/C catalyst (Pd: W = 8: 2, metal atom ratio) for ethanol oxidation is negative shifted about 90 mV comparing to Pd/C catalyst. The oxide-rich Pd–W/C electrocatalysts provide a new model of noble-metal/promoter system as an extreme case of making the promoter (WO₃) closely adjacent to the noble metal (Pd) by fabricating nanoparticles containing both atom-clusters of oxides and the noble metal atoms.

     

Fabrication and characterization of homogeneous surface-enhanced Raman scattering substrates by single pulse UV-laser treatment of gold and silver films

The fabrication of SERS-active substrates, which offer high enhancement factors as well as spatially homogeneous distribution of the enhancement, plays an important role in the expansion of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy to a powerful, quantitative, and noninvasive measurement technique for analytical applications. In this paper, a novel method for the fabrication of SERS-active substrates by laser treatment of 20, 40, and 60 nm thick gold and of 40 nm thick silver films supported on quartz glass is presented. Single 308 nm UV-laser pulses were applied to melt the thin gold and silver films. During the cooling process of the noble metal, particles were formed. The particle size and density were imaged by atomic force microscopy. By varying the fluence, the size of the particles can be controlled. The enhancement factors of the nanostructures were determined by recording self-assembled monolayers of benzenethiol. The intensity of the SERS signal from benzenethiol is correlated to the mean particle size and thus to the fluence. Enhancement factors up to 10(6) with a high reproducibility were reached. Finally we have analyzed the temperature dependence of the SERS effect by recording the intensity of benzenethiol vibrations from 300 to 120 K. The temperature dependence of the SERS effect is discussed with regard to the metal properties.     

Zerovalent metal polymer composites. I. Metallized beads

Binding of a noble metal salt, e.g., PdCl to a functional ligand on a polymer surface, e.g., amine, quaternary ammonium, sulphonic acid, followed by reduction to zerovalent state and subsequent reductive deposition of transition metal ions, such as copper, nickel, and cobalt, provides a sequence of events leading to controlled zerovalent metal polymer composites. Metallization of submicron and larger beads are described. Large amounts of metal can be incorporated. The metallized beads retain the shape of the starting beads, even at high bonding of metal. They adapt the properties of the metal, e.g., magnetic properties. The submicron particles are sensitive to hydrolysis. Multicomponent systems, such as multimetallic beads, are provided by additive codeposition of metal ions, or by codeposition of metal and dye. Direct deposition of metal to preimmobilized dye ligands is also possible, leading to magenta, cyan, or yellow metallic beads, with no adverse influence on the magnetic properties. Further deposition of noble metals by subtractive deposition on active metal surfaces is also described. Submicron latices can be immobilized by coating on polyester-based films, e.g., KODAK ESTAR base, and then activated with palladium and metallized to form highly conductive film surfaces.     

低温静电自组装法制备贵金属修饰TiO_2纳米结构薄膜及其增强的光催化性能(英文)

以碱-水热法在金属Ti片上原位生长了TiO2纳米结构(纳米花和纳米线)薄膜,并采用低温静电自组装方法将超细贵金属(金、铂、钯)纳米颗粒均匀沉积于多孔TiO2薄膜上.负载于Ti片上的贵金属/TiO2纳米结构薄膜具有一体化结构、多孔架构和高光催化活性.超高分辨率场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)直接观察表明贵金属纳米颗粒在TiO2表面分布均匀,且颗粒之间相互分离,金、铂、钯纳米颗粒的平均粒径分别约为4.0、2.0和10.0nm.俄歇电子能谱(AES)纵深成分分析表明贵金属不仅沉积于薄膜表面,且大量分布于TiO2纳米结构薄膜内部,其深度超过580 nm.X射线光电子能谱(XPS)分析表明,经300°C下在空气中热处理后,纳米金仍保持金属态,纳米铂部分被氧化成PtOabs,而钯粒子则完全被氧化成氧化钯(PdO).以低温静电自组装法沉积贵金属,贵金属负载量可通过调节组装时间与溶胶pH值来控制.光催化降解甲基橙的结果表明,沉积的纳米金和铂能显著增加TiO2纳米结构薄膜的光催化活性,说明金和铂粒子可促进光生载流子的分离;但负载的PdO对TiO2薄膜的光催化性能增强几乎无作用.