The high yield synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles with superior stability and their catalytic activity

Abstract

We report a facile, green, and high yielding approach for the synthesis and stabilization of relatively monodisperse gold nanoparticles using typical nonionic biosurfactant ethoxylated sterol (BPS-30). The obtained gold nanoparticles capped by BPS-30 not only showed remarkable stability after several months of storage under ambient conditions, but also exhibited exciting stability in high concentrations of electrolyte aqueous solutions such as acid, base, salt, and even physiological phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek (DLVO) theory was introduced to interpret the relationship between the capping mechanism and the excellent stability of the nanoparticles. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy was used to determine the yield of the gold nanoparticles. Moreover, the catalytic efficiency of the gold nanoparticles was evaluated by using the reduction of 4-nitroaniline by potassium borohydride in aqueous solution.