posted on 2021-07-28, 21:34authored byRao Tao, Kun Kang, Xian Li, Ruiyang Li, Rong Huang, Yinghua Jin, Li Qiu, Wei Zhang
Particle size plays a key role in
the performance of metal nanoparticles
(MNPs). However, the size-controlled synthesis of MNPs still represents
a challenging task. In this work, we revealed a strong solvent effect
on the growth of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs), which was directed
by a porous [2 + 3] organic molecular cage (OMC, Phos-cage) containing triphenylphosphine moieties. PdNPs with different average
diameters of 0.8, 1.2, and 3.3 nm supported by Phos-cage were obtained by simply varying the reaction media. The catalytic
performance of such ultrafine PdNPs in the reduction of p-nitrophenol and a Suzuki–Miyaura coupling reaction has been
studied, which clearly shows size-dependent catalytic activity and
stability. The knowledge gained in this study, controlling the size
of PdNPs supported by the OMC template in different solvents, will
open new possibilities for size-controlled synthesis of ultrafine
MNPs with high catalytic activity and stability.