Rapid synthesis of ultrasmall platinum nanoparticles supported on macroporous cellulose fibers for catalysis

Herein, we report a facile method for the synthesis of platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) of about 2.25 nm in size by heating a solution of chloroplatinic acid and sodium rhodizonate. The PtNps were synthesized in about 5 min period of time. The PtNPs were supported on macroporous cellulose fibers that were obtained from Kimwipe paper (KWP). The cellulose fibers-supported PtNPs (PtNPs@KWP) exhibited excellent catalytic activity towards the reduction of organic pollutant [e.g. methyl orange (MO)] in presence of hydrogen (H2) gas and formic acid (FA). The FA and H2 gas were utilized as the clean and alternative reducing agents. The reduction of MO was performed in two different types of water matrices viz. deionized water (DIW) and simulated fresh drinking water (FDW). In both water matrices, the FA mediated reduction of MO was found to be faster than the H2 gas-bubbled one. The PtNPs@KWP demonstrated excellent cyclic stability without leaching the PtNPs or the platinum ions in the solution for at least five cycles.