: In this study, we report the controllable synthesis of
dendrimer-encapsulated Pt nanoparticles (Pt DENs) utilizing repetitively
coupled chemical reduction and galvanic exchange reactions. The synthesis
strategy allows the expansion of the applicable number of Pt atoms
encapsulated inside dendrimers to more than 1000 without being limited
by the fixed number of complexation sites for Pt2+ precursor ions in the
dendrimers. The synthesis of Pt DENs is achieved in a short period of time
(i.e., ∼10 min) simply by the coaddition of appropriate amounts of Cu2+
and Pt2+ precursors into aqueous dendrimer solution and subsequent
addition of reducing agents such as BH4
?, resulting in fast and selective
complexation of Cu2+ with the dendrimers and subsequent chemical
reduction of the complexed Cu2+ while uncomplexed Pt2+ precursors
remain oxidized. Interestingly, the chemical reduction of Cu2+, leading to
the formation of Cu nanoparticles encapsulated inside the dendrimers, is
coupled with the galvanic exchange of the Cu nanoparticles with the nearby Pt2+. This coupling repetitively proceeds until all of
the added Pt2+ ions form into Pt nanoparticles encapsulated inside the dendrimers. In contrast to the conventional method
utilizing direct chemical reduction, this repetitively coupled chemical reduction and galvanic exchange enables a substantial
increase in the applicable number of Pt atoms up to 1320 in Pt DENs while maintaining the unique features of DENs.