Polyelectrolyte-mediated non-micellar synthesis of monodispersed ‘aggregates’ of gold nanoparticles using a microwave approach

‘Aggregates’ of monodispersed gold nanoparticles were synthesized for the first time in large quantities. Those particles were made in presence or in absence of gold seed in a polyelectrolyte solution using microwave heating for about 30–60 s. The average diameters of the particles calculated from TEM and SEM analysis were 22 ± 2 nm. Our analysis found that the polyelectrolyte acted as a reducing as well as a stabilizing agent. It controlled the growth of particles by aligning them on the polymeric chain and the nanoparticles were subsequently self-assembled to form an ‘aggregate’ structure. The synthetic procedure is very fast and the particles are stable for at least 6 months under ambient conditions.

Graphical abstract‘Aggregates’ of monodispersed gold nanoparticles were synthesized for the first time in large quantities in presence or in absence of gold seed in a polyelectrolyte solution using microwave heating for 30–60 s. The average diameter of the particles was calculated is ∼22 nm. Our experiment indicates that the polyelectrolyte acts both as a reducing agent and stabilizing agent and directs the growth of the particle in specified direction to obtain the ‘aggregates’ of monodispersed particles. The synthesis process is very fast and the particles are stable for at least 6 months in ambient conditions.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide