AgPt Hollow Nanodendrites: Synthesis and Uniform Dispersion over SiO₂ Support for Catalytic Applications

Abstract We describe the synthesis of AgPt hollow nanodendrites employing Ag nanospheres as seeds by combining a galvanic replacement reaction between Ag and PtCl₆²⁻ and PtCl₆²⁻ reduction to Pt in the presence of hydroquinone. AgPt hollow nanodendrites comprised of several Pt islands ≈6 nm in diameter could be obtained in only 15 s following the addition of PtCl₆²⁻ to a suspension containing Ag nanospheres, and their size and composition could be tuned as a function of the growth time. The synthesis could be scaled up by 100 folds, which enabled us to uniformly support the AgPt nanostructures onto commercial silica. The AgPt nanodendrites displayed good catalytic activities for both the 4‐nitrophenol reduction and the BTX oxidation reactions. The results presented herein may inspire the synthesis of noble metal nanostructures displaying attractive features for catalysis, such as hollow interiors, ultrathin walls, and uniform dispersion over solid supports (solid supported catalysts).