Microwave plasma assisted preparation of Pd-nanoparticles with controlled dispersion on woven activated carbon fibres

The low-pressure cold microwave (MW) plasma is shown as an efficient method to increase acidity of the ACF within less than 1 min treatment without affecting the fiber morphol. and strength. The ion-exchange capacity was 1.6 times higher compared to the non-treated ACF sample. Selective removal of the carboxylic groups from the ACF surface by the air-MW-plasma allows to keep the phenolic groups intact. Palladium was deposited on ACF from [Pd(NH3)4]Cl2 soln. via ion-exchange with the protons of the phenolic surface groups. Surface phenolic groups were able to chem. anchor Pd in cationic form, leading after redn. in H2 to small Pd Deg nanoparticles (