Multipulse strategies for the electrosynthesis of gold nanoparticles studied by UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry

UV/Vis spectroelectrochemistry has been used to study the electrochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles using a novel multipulse method. Evolution of the spectra during nanoparticle formation indicates that oxidized gold plays an essential role to obtain metal agglomerates with different size. Spectroelectrochemistry allowed us to perform in-situ characterization of the nanoparticles formed on the electrode surface. Relative information on the shape, size and density of nanoparticles was obtained by comparing different experiments. Deposited NPs were characterized ex-situ by scanning electron microscopy, in agreement with the results derived from spectroscopy data.

► Gold nanoparticles have been electrosynthesized using a novel multipulse method.
► Spectroelectrochemistry indicates that oxidized Au plays an essential role to control NPs size.
► Spectroelectrochemical in-situ characterization agrees with ex-situ SEM images.
► Relative information on shape, size and density of NPs was obtained by spectroelectrochemistry.