| Abstract: | Several latex dispersions of different hydrophobicity were investigated with respect to their ability to adsorb platinum nanoparticles that had been reduced in their presence. Two reduction methods were tested, specifically the slower method of refluxing the alcoholic solutions and the more rapid method of reaction with KBH4. The immobilization of the metal particles and their nanosize dimensions were demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy, and their catalytic activity was tested by the hydrogenation of cyclohexene as a model reaction. Some additional immobilized platinum nanoparticles were prepared in the presence of various protective polymers. This can lead to various advantages with respect to, for instance, the stability and the catalytic properties of these materials. Even in the presence of such additional protective polymers, the platinum nanoparticles remained immobilized for some of the hydrophobic latexes both before and after catalytic hydrogenations. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35 : 1207–1216, 1997 |
