Pseudo-template synthesis of gold nanoparticles based on polyhydrosilanes

Highly stable colloidal gold nanoparticles are obtained in a pseudo-template system using a specific polyhydrosilane copolymeric structure. This process takes place in situ by microwaves activation of the polymer solution in a non-polar solvent followed by stirring with solid HAuCl4 in natural light. The experimental procedure is very simple and the resulted colloidal gold solution is indefinitely stable. The specific surface plasmon resonance absorption band of the gold nanoparticles is strongly red shifted and is strictly related to their size. AFM correlated with DLS analysis showed flattened round shaped colloidal polymer-gold nanoparticles with large diameters. SEM-EDX combined analysis reveals that the polysilane-gold nanoparticles show a natural tendency to auto-assemble in close packed structures which form large areas over the polymer film surface.

Research highlights▶ Microwaves irradiation of polyhydrosilanes activates latent reactive centers. ▶ Photo scission and chemo-restructuring of the polysilane backbone generate radicals. ▶ The generated radicals function as reducing agents of the metal salt. ▶ Nucleation within the pseudo-template system leads to polymer-gold nanoparticles.