Hydrogen as an optimum reducing agent for metallization of self-assembled monolayers

We demonstrate a very efficient route for electroless deposition of Pd nanoparticles on self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of a pyridine-terminated thiol. This method involves reduction of the coordinated Pd super(2+) on SAMs by exposure to molecular hydrogen. A complete Pd adlayer surface coverage can be obtained. Moreover, this work is the first experimental demonstration of hydrogen adsorption on Pd adlayers.