Green palladium and palladium oxide nanoparticles synthesized via Aspalathus linearis natural extract

This contribution report is the 1st synthesis of nano-scaled Pd and PdO by a completely green process using Aspalathus linearis natural plant extract as an effective bio-reducing as well as a capping agent. Their spherical-like size was found to range within < empty set(particles)> = 3.8-22 nm. Their morphological, structural and optical properties were investigated using various complementary surface/interface characterization techniques such as HR-TEM, DSC, XRD, EDS, XPS, and Raman spectroscopy. The results confirmed the formation of single fcc Pd and pure tetragonal PdO nanocrystals upon annealing at 100 and 600 degrees C in standard air conditions. It was found that the dynamic of the complete oxidation of the biosynthesized Pd nanocrystals into single phase PdO is very fast; -2 h instead 10-20 h classically. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.