Synthesis of palladium nano-squares by polyol-hydrothermal method

The single crystalline palladium nano-squares with an average side length of ~10 nm were successfully prepared by using a one-step, one-pot polyol-hydrothermal process, in an aqueous mixture of PdCl2, ethylene glycol (EG), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) and KBr. From the results of powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction analyses, we confirm that the synthesized nano-squares are highly uniform in both size and shape containing (100) planes. The roles of PVP, KBr and EG in forming of palladium nano-squares were also studied. Compared with previous methods, the newly developed way is convenient, environment friendly and low-cost.