Catalytic Activity of Palladium Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Spherical Polyelectrolyte Brushes and Core−Shell Microgels

We present a quantitative comparison of the catalytic activity of palladium nanoparticles immobilized in different colloidal carrier systems, namely, in (i) spherical polyelectrolyte brushes (SPB) and (ii) core−shell microgels. The first system given by the SPB carrier particles consist of a solid core of polystyrene onto which long chains of poly((2-methylpropenoyloxyethyl) trimethylammonium chloride) (PMPTAC) are grafted. These positively charged polyelectrolyte chains form a dense layer on the surface of the core particles which binds the divalent PdCl42- ions. Reduction leads to metallic Pd particles. System 2 is given by core−shell microgels which consists of a solid core of polystyrene and a shell of…