Synthesis and characterization of ZnO/4-mercaptobenzoic acid/Au composite particles

► A simple method is used to synthesize ZnO/4-MBA/Au particles with very homogeneous shape and size. ► The surface coverage of Au nanoparticles on ZnO/4-MBA can be tuned by changing the molar ratio of ZnO/4-MBA to Au. ► Raman spectra indicate the interaction between the ZnO, Au particles and 4-MBA molecules.