Metal nanoparticles have attracted much attention in different fields of research since they possess unique electronic, magnetic, optical and thermal properties. Metal nanoparticles find extensive applications in catalysis due to their large surface area to volume ratio and special morphologies. Although metal is a poor catalyst in bulk form, nanosized particles can exhibit excellent catalytic activity due to their relative high surface area to volume ratio and their interface dominated properties, which significantly differ from those of the bulk material.
Gold and platinum nanoparticles attracted much attention due to its easy preparation and relatively large surface area to volume ratio. For electrocatalysis and sensor fabrication, the preparation of thin films with high density of metal nanoparticles on electrode surface is often desired for electrocatalysis. We have employed different methods to prepare homogeneously distributed gold and platinum nanoparticles in polyelectrolyte membrane and three dimensional silicate sol-gel materials. The integration of metal nanoparticles into thin film of membranes, such as Nafion and functionalized silicate sol-gel, is particularly important for various applications. We have established different techniques to design membranes and membrane modified electrodes with incorporated metal nanoparticles for catalytic and sensor applications.
The combination of electronic conductivity and electroactivity of metal nanoparticles with Nafion and silicate sol-gel provides much scope for the design of electrolactalytic and sensor systems. Electrocatalytic reactions are of central importance in electrochemistry and play a vital role in emerging technologies related to environmental and energy-related applications.