Synthesis and characterization of the Pt/SiO2 nanocomposite by the sol-gel method

The silica supported platinum nanoparticles was synthesized by using the sol-gel method. The possibility of using diamminedinitro platinum (II) as Pt precursor and effect of metal precursor concentration on the final Pt nanoparticle size was investigated. A stable silica sol was prepared via hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a metal alcoxide and condensation reaction. Subsequently, diamminedinitro platinum (II) was added to sol to form the Pt/silica sol. After drying and calcination of the sol, the Pt/SiO2 nanocpmposite has been obtained. Crystallographic information and crystalline size of the synthesized Pt/SiO2 were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. Morphology of the nanoparticles and hydrogen-bonding interaction between silanol groups and amine ligands were characterized by SEM and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, respectively. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) was employed in evaluating the distribution and size of the platinum nanoparticles in the silica.