From Pt molecules to nanoparticles: in-situ (anomalous) small-angle X-ray scattering studies

Anomalous small-angle X-ray scattering was employed to monitor in situ the formation of colloidal Pt particles by the reaction of Pt(acac)₂ and Al(CH3)₃ in solution. An intermediate complex molecule was found to decompose to form stable Pt particles of 1.2 nm diameter with a monomodal particle size distribution. A network like correlation in the particle positions tends to build up by organic spacer molecules between stabilizing aluminum-organic shells.