Synthesis and characterization of molybdate-modified platinum nanoparticles

Abstract

We report the synthesis of Pt nanoparticles stabilized through the addition of molybdate. The resultant particles were smaller than uncapped Pt particles with average sizes in the 7.5–8.4 nm range. Evidence for an interaction between molybdate and platinum comes from energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, XPS and CV measurements. The voltammetric features of the molybdate-stabilized Pt particles indicated an electrochemically accessible surface. Incorporation of additional molybdate and acid to the synthesis bath leads to post-synthetically modified Pt nanoparticles which feature a partially oligimerized molybdate overlayer.