Synthesis and Applications of Processable Prussian Blue Nanoparticles

Abstract

The present report describes a comparative study on chemical synthesis of processable Prussian blue Nanoparticles (PBNPs) suitable for developing PB-based devices. Controlled nucleation of PBNP from single precursors, Potassium hexacyanoferrate, has been recorded as a function of reducing and stabilizing ability of some active organic reducing agents. The use of organic reagent control the nucleation process yielding PBNPs displaying both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Four different systems of active organic reducing agents i.e.: (1) 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (3-APTMS) and cyclohexanone, (2) tetrahydrofuran hydroperoxide, (3) tetrahydrofuran and hydrogen peroxide and (4) tetrahydrofuran hydroperoxide and 2-(3, 4-epoxycyclohexyl) ethyltrimethoxysilane resulted the formation of PBNP1, PBNP2, PBNP3 and PBNP4 displaying sensitivity of analysis to the order of 480, 330 350 and 400 mA mM-1 cm-2 respectively.The as reported process also enable the controlled synthesis of noble metal nanoparticles introducing new rout for yielding Prussian blue-noble metal nanoparticle nanocomposite that manipulate the catalytic/elecrocatalytic activity for targeted system. As made PBNPs undergo the formation of homogeneous nanodispersion with gold nanoparticles and ruthenium bipyridyl with gradual enhancement in the catalytic activity. The typical application in probing glucose oxidase catalyzed reaction based on both homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis has been recorded. In addition the synthetic approach could also be explored to incorporate Prussian blue and palladium nanoparticles in mesoporous matrix for developing variety of PB-based devices.