Ligand-assisted preparation of palladium supported nanoparticles: a step toward size control.

ABSTRACT

Supported nanoparticles (SNPs) with narrow size distribution were prepared by H(2) reduction of Pd(2+) previously bound to ligand-modified silica surfaces. Interestingly, the size of the Pd(0) SNPs was tuned by the ligand grafted on the support surface. Amino- and ethylenediamino-functionalized supports formed Pd(0) SNPs of ca. 6 and 1 nm, respectively. The catalytic properties of both Pd(0) SNPs were investigated.