Dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles: Synthesis, characterization, and applications to catalysis

Dendrimers act as templates for platinum nanoparticles. The authors describ e a general synthetic approach whereby a dendrimer nanotemplate is loaded w ith Pt2+, which is reduced in situ to yield a dendrimer-encapsulated metal cluster. The clusters are monodisperse and very stable, and when attached t o an electrode surface, they act as efficient electrocatalysts for O-2 redu ction (see Figure).