Nonionic Brij Surfactant-Mediated Synthesis of Raspberry-Like Gold Nanoparticles with High Surface Area

Abstract

We report a rapid, simple, single-step, and high-yielding solution-phase synthesis of raspberry-like gold nanoparticles (Au RLNPs) with rich edges and high surface areas. Au RLNPs were synthesized through the reduction of HAuCl4 simply mediated by nonionic Brij surfactant in basic conditions without any other reducing agents or organic molecules. The synthesized nanoparticles possessed high surface areas and were stable in basic or neutral conditions, which are potentially useful structural factors for the applications. The unique, highly red-shifted surface plasmon resonances (SPRs) of Au RLNPS originate from their rough, raspberry-like surfaces. The sizes of Au RLNPs were controllable by varying the amounts of NaOH and HAuCl4. However, there are very few reported facile syntheses of size-controlled multi-branched gold nanoparticles simply mediated by surfactant without any other reducing agents or organic molecules.