Allophane–Pt nanocomposite: Synthesis and MO simulation

Abstract Allophane nanoparticles were synthesized through a hydrothermal treatment of precursor with Si/Al molar ratio of 0.75 at 100 °C for 48 h and characterized by using field emission scanning electron microscopy, pore-size distribution based on the Cranston–Inkley method, 29 Si and 27 Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray diffractometry, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. It is demonstrated that the synthetic allophane nanoparticle leads to a novel allophane–Pt nanocomposite with the metal particle size of ~ 2 nm and narrow size distribution. The synthetic allophane particles promote the reduction of K 2 PtCl 4 to Pt 0 and act as a support substratum. The molecular orbital computer simulation was performed to provide insight into the structure and stability of Pt nanoparticles during complexation by the functional (OH)Al(OH 2 ) groups on the wall perforations of the synthetic allophane.