Preparation of polythiophene coated gold nanoparticles

Gold core–polythiophene shell composite nanoparticles with a diameter of 6–8 nm have been prepared via a two-step process. The morphology and structures of the obtained nanocomposites were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopies. The nanoparticles can be stably dispersed in usual organic solvents such as ethanol. Thus, they can be easily processed and have potential applications in nanoscale buildings and development of novel electronic devices.