Synthesis of platinum nanoparticles templated by dendrimers terminated with alkyl chains.

We devised a new approach to synthesize platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) templated by dendrimers terminated with alkyl chains. Such PtNPs were monodisperse and stable in solution for a couple of weeks without any obvious sediment. The use of hydrogen as a reducing agent was crucial for their successful preparation, likely causing a relatively low concentration of Pt0 atoms that facilitated the nucleation and growth of PtNPs within dendrimers. This approach extended the size range of PtNPs encapsulated within dendrimers and enabled the synthesis of PtNPs with sizes approaching those of dendrimers.