Peptide stabilized Ag@Au Core‐shell Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Variation of Shell Thickness, and Catalysis

Abstract

AbstractAg@Au core‐shell nanoparticles were synthesized by using a fluorescent dipeptide β‐Ala‐Trp in water medium and at a room temperature without using any external reducing and stabilizing agents. The shell thickness of gold in core‐shell Ag@Au nanoparticles has also been varied by changing the concentration of the gold(III) precursor keeping the other conditions same. The optical property of these core‐shell nanoparticles varies with the shell thickness. Interestingly, these core‐shell nanoparticles exhibit good catalytic property for the reduction of nitrophenols to aminophenols and nitroanilines to aminoanilines. A series of nitrophenol and nitroaniline compounds were taken as substrates for reduction. Moreover, this core‐shell nanoparticle displays remarkable difference in catalytic property for reduction of nitro group with the variation of shell thickness. This catalyst (Ag@Au core‐shell nanoparticle) can also be recycled for several times indicating its reusability.