Chemical synthesis and structural studies of thiol-capped gold nanoparticles

Journal Article · Tue Dec 16 04:00:00 EST 2008 · Can. J. Chem.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1139/V08-135· OSTI ID:1005442

Zhang, P; Chu, A Y.-C.; Sham, T K; Yao, Y; Lee, S -T

We report the chemical synthesis and structural studies of thiol-capped Au nanoparticles (NPs) using extended X-ray absorption fine structures (EXAFS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Synthesis of Au NPs was conducted in one case in a toluene/water two-phase system using alkanethiols with varied hydrocarbon chain length (C6, C12, and C18), resulting in NPs of sizes ranging from 1.6 nm to 5.4 nm. Au L{sub 3}-edge EXAFS reveals a systematical trend of the local structure of Au in the NPs when the Au/S ratio and chain-length of thiols are varied. In another synthesis, thiol-capped Au NPs were prepared on the surface of silicon nanowires, which act as both substrates and reducing agents. HRTEM reveals that not only spherical particles but also very small quasi-1D nanostructures of Au were formed. The formation and structure of these Au NPs was discussed in terms of ligand and template effect associated with the silicon nanowire substrates.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• OSTI ID: 1005442
• Journal Information: Can. J. Chem., Journal Name: Can. J. Chem. Journal Issue: (1) ; 2009 Vol. 87; ISSN 1480-3291
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: ENGLISH

Related Subjects

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY
ABSORPTION
CHAINS
FINE STRUCTURE
GOLD
HYDROCARBONS
NANOSTRUCTURES
REDUCING AGENTS
SILICON
SUBSTRATES
SYNTHESIS
THIOLS
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY