Synthesis, morphology and optical properties of multi-pods Au/FeO(OH) and Au/Fe2O3 nanostructures

Multi-pods Au/FeOOH nanostructures were synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment of an aqueous solution of mixed micellar formed by gold nanoparticles, hexadecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), and (NH4)3[FeF6] at 160 °C for 48 h and sequential calcined at 290 °C for 1.5 h, resulting in the formation of multi-pods Au/Fe2O3 nanostructures. The as-obtained products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. Surface plasmon resonance band of gold nanoparticles was observed in the multi-pods Au/FeOOH nanostructures. However, a similar behavior was not seen with multi-pods Au/Fe2O3 nanostructures. The critical role of F− ions and CTAB molecules in the formation of FeO(OH) multipods and the probable mechanism of the formation of multi-pods Au/FeOOH and Au/Fe2O3 nanostructures were discussed.

► Multi-pods Au/FeOOH and Au/Fe2O3 nanostructures have been synthesized by a new method.
► The difference of UV–vis spectra of multi-pods Au/FeOOH and Au/Fe2O3 were observed.
► The probable mechanism of the formation of multi-pods Au/FeOOH and Au/Fe2O3 were discussed.