Synthesis and Catalytic Evaluation of Dendrimer-Encapsulated Cu Nanoparticles. An Undergraduate Experiment Exploring Catalytic Nanomaterials

Copper nanoparticles were synthesized using generation 4 hydroxyl-terminated (G4-OH) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers as templates. The synthesis is conducted by coordinating copper ions with the interior amines of the dendrimer, followed by chemical reduction to form dendrimer-encapsulated coppe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of chemical education 2009-03, Vol.86 (3), p.368
Main Authors: Feng, Z. Vivian, Lyon, Jennifer L, Croley, J. Sawyer, Crooks, Richard M, Vanden Bout, David A, Stevenson, Keith J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Chemistry
College Science
Hands on Science
Kinetics
Laboratory Experiments
Molecular Structure
Science Instruction
Spectroscopy
Technology
Undergraduate Study
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Summary:Copper nanoparticles were synthesized using generation 4 hydroxyl-terminated (G4-OH) poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers as templates. The synthesis is conducted by coordinating copper ions with the interior amines of the dendrimer, followed by chemical reduction to form dendrimer-encapsulated copper nanoparticles (Cu–DEN). The catalytic activities of Cu–DEN were assessed using a model reaction involving the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol with sodium borohydride. The rate constant for the catalytic activity was estimated by measuring the pseudo first-order reaction kinetics obtained by monitoring time-dependent absorbance changes of p-nitrophenol reduction at 400 nm using UV–vis spectroscopy.
ISSN:0021-9584
1938-1328
DOI:10.1021/ed086p368