Synthesis of gold nanoparticles stabilised by metal-chelator and the controlled formation of close-packed aggregates by them

Abstract

Nanoparticles have properties that can be fine-tuned by their size as well as shape. Hence, there is significant current interest in preparing nano-materials of small size dispersity and to arrange them in close-packed aggregates. This manuscript describes ways of synthesising gold nanoparticles using a metal-chelator derivative1, as stabiliser. Controlled synthesis conditions lead to formation of nanoparticles thereby indicating the ability of1 to act as efficient stabiliser. The nanoparticles formed were characterised by transmission electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. TEM analysis showed the formation of dense aggregates of nanoparticles. This can be ascribed to the inter-particle hydrogen bonding possible by the carboxylic acid moiety of1 that leads to aggregation. The aggregation can be controlled by the pH of the solution employed for dispersing the particles.