Postsynthetic functionalization of a hollow silica nanoreactor with manganese oxide-immobilized metal nanocrystals inside the cavity

Abstract

A postsynthetic protocol of functionalizing the preformed hollow nanoparticles with metal nanocrystals was developed based on galvanic replacement reaction on the Mn3O4 surface inside the cavity. The developed protocol produced hollow nanoreactor systems, in which a high density of ultrafine catalytic nanocrystals of a range of noble metals, such as Pd, Pt, Rh, and Ir and their alloys, are dispersively immobilized on an interior surface enclosed by a selectively permeable silica shell. The fabricated hollow nanoreactor exhibited highly enhanced activity, selectivity, and recyclability in catalyzing the oxidation of hydrosilanes, which are attributable to the synergistic combination of the porous silica nanoshell and the oxide-immobilized catalyst system.