OICC Press Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry 2193-8865 7 2 (June 2017) 2017 02 21 Green synthesis of bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures for catalytic oxidative desulfurization of model oil 10.1007/s40097-017-0223-8 EN A. A. Olajire Industrial and Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, NG A. Kareem Industrial and Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, NG A. Olaleke Industrial and Environmental Chemistry Unit, Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, NG Journal Article 2017 02 21 Abstract This study reports the synthesis of bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures at elevated temperature of 100 °C using Alchornea laxiflora leaf extract (ALLE). The nanostructures have been characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), energy dispersive X-ray(EDX) spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The sizes of the bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures range from 1.87 to 2.38 nm with an average particle size of 2.12 ± 0.21 nm, and they crystallized in face-centered cubic ( fcc ) symmetry. The EDX analysis confirms the bimetallism of Pt@Cu nanostructures and individual metals are present in the ratio 2:3. FTIR indicates strong peaks at 3427 cm −1 which is attributed to hydroxyl group of polyphenolic compounds in ALLE, and the peak disappeared completely in the FTIR of Pt@Cu nanostructures, thus confirming their significant roles in bioreduction process. Catalytic oxidative property of Pt@Cu nanostructures was investigated by oxidation of a model oil [dibenzothiophene (DBT) dissolved in n -heptane] to their corresponding sulfone. Our results show that bimetallic Pt@Cu nanostructures have higher catalytic oxidative activity than the conventional acetic acid that is used in the oxidative desulfurization process. The catalytic oxidative desulfurization activity shown by the Pt@Cu nanostructures promises the potential application in petroleum industry.