Surfactant removal from palladium nanoparticles

1. A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle, the method comprising:

exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen, the exposing including:

applying an electric potential to the palladium nanoparticle, wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle is at or below a potential required for hydrogen adsorption/absorption and hydrogen evolution;

maintaining the electric potential for a time sufficient for hydrogen to penetrate into the palladium nanoparticle; and

removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the palladium nanoparticle comprises a chemical substance selected from the group consisting of palladium, palladium alloys and combinations thereof.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen comprises:

placing the palladium nanoparticle in a vessel; and

adding hydrogen gas to the vessel so that hydrogen is absorbed by the palladium nanoparticle.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle measures from about −0.2V to about 0.1V.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle measures about −0.05V.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric potential is applied to the palladium nanoparticle for less than about five minutes.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the electric potential is applied to the palladium nanoparticle for no more than about one minute.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric potential is applied to the palladium nanoparticle while the palladium nanoparticle is at a temperature between about 15° C. and about 30° C.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the electric potential is applied to the palladium nanoparticle in the presence of a dilute acid.

10. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

washing the palladium nanoparticle with water after applying the electric potential to the palladium nanoparticle.

11. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

filtering the palladium nanoparticle after applying the electric potential to the palladium nanoparticle.

12. A method comprising:

synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant, wherein the surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle; and

exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen to remove the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle, the exposing including:

applying an electric potential to the palladium nanoparticle wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle is at or below a potential required for hydrogen adsorption/absorption and hydrogen evolution; and

maintaining the electric potential for a time sufficient for hydrogen to penetrate into the palladium nanoparticle to weaken a bond between the surfactant and the palladium nanoparticle.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the palladium nanoparticle comprises a chemical substance selected from the group consisting of palladium, palladium alloys and combinations thereof.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen comprises:

placing the palladium nanoparticle in a vessel; and

adding hydrogen gas to the vessel so that hydrogen is absorbed by the palladium nanoparticle.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle measures from about −0.2V to about 0.1V.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle measures about −0.05V.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein the electric potential is applied to the palladium nanoparticle for less than about five minutes.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the electric potential is applied to the palladium nanoparticle for no more than about one minute.

19. A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle, the method comprising:

exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen at room temperature; and

removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.

20. A method for removing a surfactant from a palladium nanoparticle, the method comprising:

exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen at a temperature which remains below 300° C., the exposing including:

applying an electric potential to the palladium nanoparticle wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle is at or below a potential required for hydrogen adsorption/absorption and hydrogen evolution; and

maintaining the electric potential for a time sufficient for hydrogen to penetrate into the palladium nanoparticle to weaken a bond between the surfactant and the palladium nanoparticle; and

removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.

21. A method comprising:

synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant, wherein the surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle; and

exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen at room temperature, the exposing removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle.

22. A method comprising:

synthesizing a palladium nanoparticle using a surfactant, wherein the surfactant influences a geometric property of the palladium nanoparticle and bonds to the palladium nanoparticle; and

exposing the palladium nanoparticle to hydrogen at a temperature which remains below 300° C., the exposing removing the surfactant from the palladium nanoparticle, the exposing including:

applying an electric potential to the palladium nanoparticle wherein the electric potential applied to the palladium nanoparticle is at or below a potential required for hydrogen adsorption/absorption and hydrogen evolution; and

maintaining the electric potential for a time sufficient for hydrogen to penetrate into the palladium nanoparticle to weaken a bond between the surfactant and the palladium nanoparticle.