Diffusion-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles: nano-liposomes as mass transfer barrier

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 16; no. 4; p. 1
• Main Authors: Genç, Rükan, Ortiz, Mayreli, O’Sullivan, Ciara K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01-04-2014; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Brief Communication; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Diffusion in nanoscale solids; Diffusion in solids; Exact sciences and technology; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Mass transfer; Materials Science; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Transport properties of condensed matter (nonelectronic); Nanoliposomes; Diffusion-controlled; Ultrasmall gold nanoparticles; Nanoreactor; Encapsulation; Gold; Lipids; Amphiphilic compound; Mass transfer; Aggregation; Nanoparticles; Vesicles; Sodium; Diffusion; Nanostructured materials
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2329-y

Lipid vesicles and other types of amphiphilic materials are of great interest in the size-controlled synthesis of metal nanoparticles. In this study, we prepared nano-sized liposomes encapsulating tetrachloroauric acid for the facile synthesis of gold nanoparticles with controlled size over a range of 2–5 nm at room temperature. The semi-permeable character of the lipid membrane to the varying concentrations of reducing agent—sodium borohydride-regulated the particle formation kinetics. Diffusion of the reducing agent through the liposomal membrane in a controlled manner resulted in ultrasmall nanoparticles of a narrow size distribution with less aggregation as compared to the solution-based preparation method.