Synthesis, density functional theory, molecular dynamics and electrochemical studies of 3-thiopheneacetic acid-capped gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles capped with a bifunctional ligand, 3-thiopheneacetic acid (3-TAA) were synthesised by borohydride reduction at room temperature. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis showed that the particle aggregates and had semi-linear partial linkages that could be attributed to multi-modal binding of the ligand with various gold nanoparticles through the terminal thiolether (–S–) group and oxygen of the carboxylic (–COOH) group. This bimodal interaction led to limited stability of the resultant nanoparticles when tested using highly electrolytic media. To investigate further, density functional theory (DFT) quantum chemical and molecular dynamic calculations were conducted. The energetically favorable binding modes of the ligand to gold nanoparticle surfaces using the Gaussian program were studied. The DFT results showed kinetic stability of Au–3-TAA–Au interactions leading to inter-particle coupling or aggregation. Electrochemical analysis of the resultant nature of the capping agent revealed that 3-thiopheneacetic acid did not form a polymer during the preparation of Au–3-TAA. The cyclic voltammograms of Au–3-TAA nanoparticles coated glassy carbon electrode showed a typical gold character with the oxidation and reduction peaks at 1.4 V and 0.9 V, respectively.

► Simplified synthesis of 3-thiopheneacetic acid-capped gold nanoparticles.
► Particle distribution showed linkage patterns, typical multifunctional ligands.
► DFT molecular modeling showed kinetically stable binding modes of the ligand on gold.
► Using electrochemical techniques, the acid ligand showed to remain nonpolymerized.