Shape-controlled synthesis of highly monodisperse and small size gold nanoparticles

We describe here that fine control of nanoparticle shape and size can be achieved by systematic varia-tion of experimental parameters in the seeded growth procedure in aqueous solution. Cubic and spherical gold nanoparticles are obtained respectively. In particularly, the Au cubes are highly mono-disperse in 33±2 nm diameter. The experimental methods involve the preparation of Au seed particles and the subsequent addition of an appropriate quantity of Au seed solution to the aqueous growth solutions containing desired quantities of CTAB and ascorbic acid (AA). Here, AA is a weak reducing agent and CTAB is not only a stable agent for nanoparticles but also an inductive agent for leading increase in the face of nanoparticle. Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize the nanoparticles. The results show that the different size gold nanoparticles displayed high size homogenous distribution and formed mono-membrane at the air/solid interface.     

聚苯胺/贵金属复合纳米材料的可控合成及催化应用

导电高分子/贵金属复合纳米材料因其在催化、传感、表面增强拉曼、光热治疗等诸多领域的应用前景而受到广泛关注.本文主要介绍我们课题组近年来利用可控合成策略制备的负载型和包埋型两种结构聚苯胺/贵金属复合纳米材料,以及利用复合纳米材料的结构和功能特性,对其在多相催化领域的应用、结构与催化性能之间构效关系的探索.     

基于金@二氧化锰纳米片超级纳米粒子从比色到单颗粒光谱检测谷胱甘肽

合成了由金纳米球和二氧化锰薄片组成的金@二氧化锰纳米片超级纳米粒子(AMNS-SPs), 将其作为探针, 利用比色和单颗粒光谱2种分析方法进行了谷胱甘肽的传感检测. 该传感检测基于选择性刻蚀探针AMNS-SPs中的二氧化锰纳米片, 使得该探针的局域表面等离子共振波长蓝移. 实验结果表明, 比色法和单颗粒光谱法检测谷胱甘肽的检出限分别为0.018 μmol/L和23.2 fmol/L, 且后者是目前检测谷胱甘肽灵敏度最高的传感方法之一. 该传感方法的优异性能主要源于非常薄的二氧化锰纳米片.     

Bimetallic (Ag)Au nanoparticles prepared by the seed growth method: two-dimensional assembling, characterization by energy dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and surface enhanced raman spectroscopy, and proposed mechanism of growth

Layered core-shell bimetallic silver-gold nanoparticles were prepared by overdeposition of Au over Ag seeds by the seed-growth method using tetrachloroauric acid, with hydroxylamine hydrochloride as the reductant. The effects of pH, reduction rate, and seeding conditions on the morphology and surface plasmon extinction of the bimetallic nanoparticles were investigated. Nanoparticles prepared by a rapid reduction in the neutral ambient and assembled into two-dimensional nanoparticulate films by adsorption of 2,2'-bipyridine were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results are consistent with Ag core and Ag/Au-alloyed shell composition of the nanoparticles. Evidence of the presence of Ag on the surface of the nanoparticles, of enrichment of the Ag/Au alloy shell by Ag toward or at the nanoparticle surface, and of modification of the nanoparticle surface by adsorbed chlorides is also provided. Reduction of the size of the Ag seeds, alloying of Ag and Au in the shell of the nanoparticles, and modification of their surfaces by adsorbed chlorides are tentatively attributed to positive charging of the nanoparticles during the electrocatalytic overdeposition of Au over Ag seeds.     

Microstructured Au/TiO2 model catalyst systems

The preparation of microstructured Au/TiO2 model catalysts as a first step toward micrometer-scale parallel studies on model catalysts and toward studies of mesoscopic effects in catalytic reactions was investigated by atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The model systems, which consist of micrometer-size active areas covered with Au nanoparticles that are separated by similarly sized inactive areas free of Au particles, are fabricated by combining optical lithography methods for microstructuring and ultrahigh vacuum evaporation for Au nanoparticle deposition and by applying suitable cleaning steps. It is demonstrated that practically perfect microstructures with Au nanoparticles of catalytically relevant sizes (2-3-nm diameter) on a clean TiO2 substrate can be produced this way and that the processing steps do not affect the deposited Au nanoparticles, neither in size nor in lateral distribution.     

Preparation of Amino-functionalized Multiwall Carbon Nanotube/Gold Nanoparticle Composites

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNT) were modified orderly with carboxyl groups and amino groups. The MWNT/gold nanoparticle composites were formed when the amino‐functionalized MWNT was interacted with gold colloids. The functionalized MWNT was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The amino‐functionalized MWNT allows further attaching gold nanoparticles through electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged gold nanoparticles and amino groups on the surface of the MWNT. The composite of gold nanoprticles and amino‐functionalized MWNT was characterized by transmission electron microscopy. This method decorating carbon nanotubes can be used to identify the location of functional groups, i.e. defect sites on carbon nanotubes.     

Graphene oxide-based supramolecular hydrogels for making nanohybrid systems with Au nanoparticles

In the presence of a small amount of a proteinous amino acid (arginine/tryptophan/histidine) or a nucleoside (adenosine/guanosine/cytidine), graphene oxide (GO) forms supramolecular stable hydrogels. These hydrogels have been characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and rheology. The morphology of the hydrogel reveals the presence of nanofibers and nanosheets. This suggests the supramolecular aggregation of GO in the presence of an amino acid/nucleoside. Rheological studies of arginine containing a GO-based hydrogel show a very high G' value (6.058 × 10(4) Pa), indicating the rigid, solid-like behavior of this gel. One of these hydrogels (GO-tryptophan) has been successfully utilized for the in situ synthesis and stabilization of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) within the hydrogel matrix without the presence of any other external reducing and stabilizing agents to make Au NPs containing the GO-based nanohybrid material. The Au NPs containing the hybrid hydrogel has been characterized by using UV/vis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In this study, gold salt (Au(3+)) has been bioreduced by the tryptophan within the hydrogel. This is a facile "green chemical" method of preparing the GO-based nanohybrid material within the hydrogel matrix. The significance of this method is the in situ reduction of gold salt within the gel phase, and this helps to decorate the nascently formed Au NPs almost homogeneously and uniformly on the surface of the GO nanosheets within the gel matrix.     

Simple and generalized synthesis of oxide-metal heterostructured nanoparticles and their applications in multimodal biomedical probes

Heterostructured nanoparticles composed of metals and Fe3O4 or MnO were synthesized by thermal decomposition of mixtures of metal-oleate complexes (for the oxide component) and metal-oleylamine complexes (for the metal component). The products included flowerlike-shaped nanoparticles of Pt-Fe3O4 and Ni-Fe3O4 and snowmanlike-shaped nanoparticles of Ag-MnO and Au-MnO. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns showed that these nanoparticles were composed of face-centered cubic (fcc)-structured Fe3O4 or MnO and fcc-structured metals. The relaxivity values of the Au-MnO and Au-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were similar to those of the MnO and Fe3O4 nanoparticles, respectively. Au-Fe3O4 heterostructured nanoparticles conjugated with two kinds of 12-base oligonucleotide sequences were able to sense a complementary 24-mer sequence, causing nanoparticle aggregation. This hybridization-mediated aggregation was detected by the overall size increase indicated by dynamic light scattering data, the red shift of the surface plasmon band of the Au component, and the enhancement of the signal intensity of the Fe3O4 component in T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging.     

Biomolecule-coated metal nanoparticles on titanium

Immobilizations of nanoparticles and biomolecules on biocompatible substrates such as titanium are two promising approaches to bringing new functionalities to Ti-based biomaterials. Herein, we used a variety of X-ray spectroscopic techniques to study and better understand metal-thiolate interactions in biofunctionalized metal nanoparticle systems supported on Ti substrates. Using a facile one-step procedure, a series of Au nanoparticle samples with varied biomolecule coatings ((2-mercatopropionyl)glycine (MPG) and bovine serum albumin (BSA)) and biomolecule concentrations are prepared. Ag and Pd systems are also studied to observe change with varying metal composition. The structure and properties of these biomolecule-coated nanoparticles are investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and element-specific X-ray techniques, including extended X-ray absorption fine structure (Au L(3)-edge), X-ray absorption near-edge structure (Au L(3), Ag L(3), Pd L(3), and S K-edge), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (Au 4f, Ag 3d, Pd 3d, and S 2p core level). It was found that, by comparison of SEM and X-ray spectroscopy results, the coating of metal nanoparticles with varying model biomolecule systems can have a significant effect on both surface coverage and organization. This work offers a facile chemical method for bio- and nanofunctionalization of Ti substrates as well as provides a physical picture of the structure and bonding of biocoated metal nanoparticles, which may lead to useful applications in orthopedics and biomedicine.     

Graphene nanosheets decorated with Pd,Pt,Au,and Ag nanoparticles:Synthesis,characterization,and catalysis applications

We report that noble metal nanopartcles (Pd,Pt,Au,and Ag) decorated-graphene nanosheets can be synthesized with the template of graphene oxide by a one-pot solution-based method.The resulting hybrid materials are characterized by transmission electronic microscopy,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy,scanning electronic microscopy,atomic force microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and Raman spectroscopy,which demonstrate that the metal nanoparticles have been uniformly deposited on the surfaces of graphene nanosheet...     

Growth mechanism of gold nanoparticles decorated on polystyrene spheres via self-regulated reduction

Uniform polystyrene (PS) microspheres prepared for deposition of metallic nanoparticles were synthesized using the surfactant-free emulsion polymerization based on styrene/potassium persulfate/water (St/KPS/H₂O) system. Owing to the presence of sulfate groups, the PS microspheres can be utilized to reduce gold nanoparticles without adding extra reducing agent into the mixture. The synthesis and characterization of metal-polystyrene nanocomposites are reported, and a possible reduction mechanism is proposed: by heating the aqueous solution in the presence of metal ions and PS, the sulfate chain end groups of the PS hydrolyzed and transformed to hydroxyl groups firstly. The hydroxyl groups function as a reducing agent, and carboxylic groups provide a site to adsorb the gold nuclei. The Au nanoparticles grow in size with the coalescence and dissolving of nuclei through the Ostwald ripening process. The PS microspheres and Au nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray power diffraction, and thermal gravimetric analysis.     

Self‐Assembly of Platinum Nanoparticle/Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube Multilayer Film on Au Substrate Electrode

A novel approach to assemble multilayer films of Pt nanoparticle/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWNTs) composites on Au substrate has been developed for the purpose of improving the methanol oxidation efficiency by providing high catalytic surface area. MWNTs were firstly functionalized with 4‐mercaptobenzene and then assembled on an Au substrate electrode. Pt nanoparticles were fabricated and attached to the surface of the functionalized MWNTs subsequently. Thus a layer of Pt/MWNT composites were assembled on the Au substrate electrode. Repeating above process can assemble different layers of film of Pt/MWNTs composites on the Au electrode. Cyclic voltammetry shows that the Au electrode modified with two layers of film of Pt/MWNT composites exhibits high catalytic ability and long‐term stability for methanol oxidation. The layer‐by‐layer self‐assembly technique provides an efficient strategy to construct complex nanostructure for improving the methanol oxidation efficiency by providing high catalytic surface area.     

Graphene nanoplatelets supported metal nanoparticles for electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine

Graphene nanoplatelets have been applied as the support to electrodeposit monometallic Au and Pd nanoparticles as well as bimetallic Au–Pd nanoparticles. These nanoparticles have been characterized with scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. They are further utilized as the catalysts for electrochemical oxidation of hydrazine. The oxidation peak potential is − 0.35 and 0.53 V (vs. SCE) when monometallic Pd and Au nanoparticle are used as the catalysts. When bimetallic nanoparticles are applied as the catalyst, their composition affects the peak potential and peak current for the oxidation of hydrazine. Higher oxidation current is achieved when bimetallic Au–Pd nanoparticles with an atomic ratio of 3:1 are deposited on graphene nanoplatelets. Metal nanoparticle-loaded graphene nanoplatelets are thus novel platforms for electrocatalytic, electroanalytical, environmental, and related applications.     

Restructuring-induced activity of SiO(2)-supported large au nanoparticles in low-temperature CO oxidation

Large Au nanoparticles with an average size of approximately 10 nm supported on inert SiO(2) become active in low-temperature CO oxidation after the addition of NaNO(3). The catalyst structures have been characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The NaNO(3) additive in Au/SiO(2) catalysts does not lead to the formation of fine Au nanoparticles, which are generally considered to be inevitable in low-temperature CO oxidation catalyzed by gold, nor does it alter the electronic structure of Au. The NaNO(3)-induced restructuring of large Au nanoparticles was proposed to create low-coordinated Au sites on the surface capable of catalyzing low-temperature CO oxidation. These results experimentally prove that the activity of supported Au nanoparticles in low-temperature CO oxidation could solely arise from their geometric structure, which greatly deepens the fundamental understandings of Au nanocatalysis.     

Sub-nanometer-thick Al2O3 Overcoat Remarkably Enhancing Thermal Stability of Supported Gold Catalysts

Supported gold nanoparticle catalysts show extraordinarily high activity in many reactions. While the relative poor thermal stability of Au nanoparticles against sintering at elevated temperatures severely limits their practical applications. Here atomic layer deposition (ALD) of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ was performed to deposit an Au/TiO₂ catalyst with precise thickness con-trol, and the thermal stability was investigated. We surprisingly found that sub-nanometer-thick Al₂O₃ overcoat can su ciently inhibit the aggregation of Au particles up to 600 C in oxygen. On the other hand, the enhancement of Au nanoparticle stability by TiO₂ overcoat is very limited. Di use reffectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) of CO chemisorption and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements both con rmed the ALD overcoat on Au particles surface and suggested that the presence of TiO₂ and Al₂O₃ ALD overcoat on Au nanoparticles does not considerably change the electronic properties of Au nanoparticles. The catalytic activities of the Al₂O₃ overcoated Au/TiO₂ catalysts in CO oxidation increased as increasing calcination temperature, which suggests that the embed-ded Au nanoparticles become more accessible for catalytic function after high temperature treatment, consistent with our DRIFTS CO chemisorption results.     

Interface of nanoparticle-coated electropolished stents

Nanostructures entail a high potential for improving implant surfaces, for instance, in stent applications. The electrophoretic deposition of laser-generated colloidal nanoparticles is an appropriate tool for creating large-area nanostructures on surfaces. Until now, the bonding and characteristics of the interface between deposited nanoparticles and the substrate surface has not been known. It is investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to characterize an electropolished NiTi stent surface coated by laser-generated Au and Ti nanoparticles. The deposition of elemental Au and Ti nanoparticles is observed on the total 3D surface. Ti-coated samples are composed of Ti oxide and Ti carbide because of nanoparticle fabrication and the coating process carried out in 2-propanol. The interface between nanoparticles and the electropolished surface consists of a smooth, monotone elemental depth profile. The interface depth is higher for the Ti nanoparticle coating than for the Au nanoparticle coating. This smooth depth gradient of Ti across the coating-substrate intersection and the thicker interface layer indicate the hard bonding of Ti-based nanoparticles on the surface. Accordingly, electron microscopy reveals nanoparticles adsorbed on the surface without any sorption-blocking intermediate layer. The physicomechanical stability of the bond may benefit from such smooth depth gradients and direct, ligand-free contact. This would potentially increase the coating stability during stent application.     

Aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition using nanoparticle precursors: a route to nanocomposite thin films

Gold nanoparticle and gold/semiconductor nanocomposite thin films have been deposited using aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD). A preformed gold colloid in toluene was used as a precursor to deposit gold films onto silica glass. These nanoparticle films showed the characteristic plasmon absorption of Au nanoparticles at 537 nm, and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) imaging confirmed the presence of individual gold particles. Nanocomposite films were deposited from the colloid concurrently with conventional CVD precursors. A film of gold particles in a host tungsten oxide matrix resulted from co-deposition with [W(OPh)(6)], while gold particles in a host titania matrix resulted from co-deposition with [Ti(O(i)Pr)(4)]. The density of Au nanoparticles within the film could be varied by changing the Au colloid concentration in the original precursor solution. Titania/gold composite films were intensely colored and showed dichromism: blue in transmitted light and red in reflected light. They showed metal-like reflection spectra and plasmon absorption. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis confirmed the presence of metallic gold, and SEM imaging showed individual Au nanoparticles embedded in the films. X-ray diffraction detected crystalline gold in the composite films. This CVD technique can be readily extended to produce other nanocomposite films by varying the colloids and precursors used, and it offers a rapid, convenient route to nanoparticle and nanocomposite thin films.     

Synergistic contributions of multiwall carbon nanotubes and gold nanoparticles in a chitosan–ionic liquid matrix towards improved performance for a glucose sensor

We report an ingenious approach for the fabrication of a promising glucose sensor, GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH), that exploits the synergistic beneficial characteristics of multiwalled-carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), chitosan (CS) and room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL). Direct electron transfer between glucose oxidase (GOx) and electrode was achieved. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy images of GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH) reveal that MWNTs and AuNPs are dispersed in CS–IL matrix. Cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and chronoamperometry were used to evaluate the performance of biosensor. The GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH) biosensor exhibits a linear current response to glucose concentration (1–10 mM) at a low potential of 0.10 V and precludes interferences from uric acid and ascorbic acid. The GOx/Au/CS–IL–MWNT(SH) biosensor has superior performances over GOx/CS–IL–MWNT(SH).     

Rapid room temperature synthesis of electrocatalytically active Au nanostructures

We describe a facile route for the one-pot room temperature synthesis of anisotropic Au nanostructures in aqueous solution in the absence of seeds or surfactants and their electrocatalytic activity. The Au nanostructures were synthesized using piperazine derivatives 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine and 1,4-Bis(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine as reducing agents. The Au nanostructures were characterized by spectral, transmission electron microscopic (TEM), X-ray diffraction and electrochemical measurements. The absorption spectrum of colloidal nanoparticles displays two bands ~580 and ~930 nm, corresponding to the dipole and quadrupole plasmon resonance, respectively. TEM measurements show that the Au nanostructures have penta-twined polyhedral shape with an average size of 52 nm. X-ray and selected area electron diffraction patterns reveal the existence of face centered cubic nanocrystalline Au. The concentration of Au(III) controls the stability of the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles were immobilized on 3-D silicate network pre-assembled on a conducting support to examine their electrocatalytic activity. The nanoparticle-based electrochemical interface was characterized by spectral, voltammetric and impedance measurements. The nanoparticle shows high catalytic activity in the oxidation of NADH and reduction of oxygen. Unique inverted 'V' shape voltammogram was obtained for the oxidation of NADH at less positive potential. The nanoparticle-based interface favors two-step four-electron reduction of oxygen to water in neutral pH. Significant decrease in the overpotential for the oxidation of NADH and reduction of oxygen with respect to the polycrystalline Au electrode was observed. The electrocatalytic performance of the polyhedral nanoparticle is compared with the conventional citrate stabilized spherical nanoparticles.     

室温电子还原制备金纳米颗粒与琼脂糖复合膜的表征与应用

利用室温电子还原技术合成了一种金纳米颗粒与琼脂糖复合膜。合成过程采用氩气辉光放电为廉价电子源,方便快捷,绿色环保。通过紫外-可见(UV-Vis)分光光度计、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)仪、光电子能谱(XPS)等表征,发现可以通过改变氯金酸浓度调控复合膜中金纳米颗粒的分布,加入聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP)可有效控制金纳米颗粒的形貌。由于复合膜具有金纳米颗粒密集排布的结构,可作为表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)活性基底。实验表明,以对氨基苯硫酚为探针,该复合膜作为SERS基底,SERS平均增强因子超过了106,检测限达到了10-12mol?L-1。除此之外,作为SERS基底,复合膜具有良好的均一性和稳定性。