Abstract
We report a simple and rapid process for the roomtemperature synthesis of gold nanoparticles using tannic acid, a green reagent, as both the reducing and stabilising agent. We systematically investigated the effect of pH on the size distribution of nanoparticles synthesized. Based on induction time and σ-potential measurements, we show that particle size distribution is controlled by a fine balance between the rates of reduction (determined by the initial pH of reactants) and coalescence (determined by the pH of the reaction mixture) in the initial period of growth. This insight led to the optimal batch process for size-controlled synthesis of 2–10 nm gold nanoparticles — slow addition (within 10 minutes) of chloroauric acid into tannic acid.
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Sankar Kalidas Sivaraman is a research scholar in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IISc, Bangalore. His research focuses on the synthesis and ordering of gold nanoparticles for use in solar cells and chemical sensors.
Sanjeev Kumar is an associate professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IISc, Bangalore. His research interests include modelling and experimental aspects of micellar processes, colloids and dispersions, and nanoparticle engineering.
Venugopal Santhanam is an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IISc, Bangalore. His research interests are centered on the development of a process engineering ‘toolkit’ that will enable the use of nanoparticles as building blocks for a wide range of applications.
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Sivaraman, S.K., Kumar, S. & Santhanam, V. Room-temperature synthesis of gold nanoparticles — Size-control by slow addition. Gold Bull 43, 275–286 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03214997
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03214997