Nanoparticles (NPs) are of considerable interest, owing to their enhanced catalytic activity and optical properties. Ionic liquids (ILs) are employed as a medium to prepare small (<20 nm in diameter) and relatively low dispersity (typically, ±1–2 nm) NPs. While ensemble techniques (e. g., UV/Vis) can provide a great deal of information, increasingly, single‐entity electrochemistry (SEE) has been used to provide physical insight into individual NP catalysis and dynamics. Herein, Pt NP impact current spikes for particles prepared in the IL phase and based on electrocatalytic amplification (ECA) of the borohydride oxidation reaction (BOR) were recorded during i‐t measurements. Additionally, direct oxidative LiBH4 nanocrystal (NC) impact signals were observed herein for the first time. By quantifying the charge transferred during the stochastic collision events, the radius of the NCs (rNC) was calculated (∼5.5 nm) and compares favorably with TEM images. Critically, small additions (1 % v/v) of a molecular, polar organic solvent (tetrahydrofuran, THF) disrupt the ILs supramolecular fluidic nature, which enhances NC impact frequency and the aggregation of Pt NPs.
Invited for this issue's Front Cover is the group of Dr. Talia Jane Stockmann from Memorial University of Newfoundland (Canada). The cover picture shows a platinum nanoparticle stochastic impact at a carbon fiber ultramicroelectrode along with the associated, recorded signal in an ionic liquid medium. Read the full text of the Research Article at 10.1002/celc.202200162.
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