One-step synthesis of platinum nanoparticles loaded in alginate bubbles.

Composite particles with multifunctions have been extensively utilized for various applications. Bubble particles can be applied for ultrasound-mediated imaging, drug delivery, absorbers, cell culture, etc. This study proposes a one-step strategy to obtain Pt nanoparticles loaded in alginate bubbles. A needle-based droplet formation was used to generate uniform alginate particles about 2 mm in diameter. The hydrolysis reaction of NaBH was utilized to produce gaseous hydrogen and then trapped within alginate particles to form bubbles. The Pt mixed with alginate solution was dropped into the reservoir to react with reducing NaBH and hardening CaCl to form Pt nanoparticles-alginate composite bubbles. Results indicate that the size of bubbles decreases with the CaCl concentration (1% ~ 20%), and size of bubbles increases with the NaBH concentration (1 ~ 20 mM). The advantages for the present approach include low cost, easy operation, and effective production of Pt nanoparticles-alginate composite bubbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]