Synthesis and characterization of noble metal nanoparticles-oxidized carbonate green rust nanohybrids

In this study, we report new metal-inorganic nanohybrids constituted of Au, Ag or Pt nanoparticles supported on oxidized carbonate green rust particles. These nanohybrids are obtained from two successive steps in “one pot”, synthesis of a carbonate green rust suspension followed by its redox reaction with noble-metal soluble precursor. In this process, carbonate green rust, a health- and environment-friendly compound, is used as both the reducing agent and the support for metal nanoparticles. The obtained nanohybrids are characterized by FTIR, XRD and SEM. They display an inorganic part that keeps the platy shape characteristic of green rust and about 1–10 metal nanoparticles of several tens of nanometers in diameter are present on both faces. By annealing at 250 °C, metal-haematite nanohybrids keeping similar morphology were obtained.