Precise control of the Pt nanoparticle size by seeded growth using EO13PO30EO13 triblock copolymers as protective agents.

Here, we report an efficient way to produce homogeneous Pt nanoparticles within a well-defined size range (3.5-6.6 nm) as a result of the seeded growth procedure using Pluronic L64 polymer capping agent. First, small seeds (3.5 nm) were prepared by the reduction of H2PtCl6.6H2O in water with NaBH4 in the presence of the capping poly(ethylene oxide)13-poly(propylene oxide)30-poly(ethylene oxide)13 triblock copolymer at room temperature. Additional anionic Pt salt was then introduced under flowing H2 to obtain larger nanoparticles.