Solid state morphology and size tuning of nanostructured platinum using macromolecular complexes

Abstract

The macromolecular complexes Chitosan center dot(PtCl2)(n) and PSP-co-4-PVP center dot(PtCl2)(n), were prepared from the respective polymer and PtCl2 in metal: polymer molar ratios 1: 1 and 1: 5. Pyrolisis of the macromolecular complexes Chitosan center dot(PtCl2)(n) and PSP-co-4-PVP center dot(PtCl2)(n) at 800 degrees C under air affords cubic nanostructured Pt in the pure phase. The morphology of the pyrolityc products depends on the molar metal: polymer ratio; i.e. a "cotton" 3D shape for the 1: 1 ratio and a "foamy" 3D shape for the 1: 5 ratio. On the other hand, the particle size depends on the polymer nature, obtaining Pt nanoparticles as small as 6 nm for the chitosan precursors in both molar ratio.