A New Method for the Synthesis of Highly Dispersive and Catalytically Active Platinum Nanoparticles Confined in Mesoporous Zirconia

Pure metallic platinum nanocrystallites with uniform diameter, confined in the pore channels of mesoporous zirconia, have been synthesized by a new ion‐ exchange reaction followed by in‐situ reduction. Such a nanostructured platinum–zirconia mesoporous composite material is demonstrated to be an efficient catalyst for the oxidation of CO. Incorporation of ceria into the zirconia walls is shown to lead to a material with promise as a high‐performance exhaust‐conversion catalyst with immediate activation of the catalyst on engine start‐up.