Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 May 2012
ABSTRACT
Shape-controlled Ag and Pd nanocrystals were synthesized using seed-mediated techniques using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as structuring agent. First, seeds were obtained by reacting Na2PdCl4 or AgNO3 with a strong reducing agent, NaBH4 in the presence of sodium citrate dihydrate acting as stabilizing agent. These seeds were then injected into a growth solution containing the same metallic precursor, ascorbic acid (as a weak reducing agent) and β-CD as structuring agent. TEM results emphasize a strong influence of the relative concentration of β-CD on the final morphology. In the case of silver, well-facetted nanocrystals were obtained with a progressive shift from kinetically to thermodynamically-controlled nanoobjects when increasing the β-CD/Ag molar ratio. On palladium, β-CD leads to the formation of dendrites (urchin-like) or multipods through controlled aggregation of primary particles. The use of β-CD does not interfere negatively with the catalytic properties of the Pd nanocrystals in the hydrogenation of cinnamaldehyde.