One-pot two-step synthesis of core–shell mesoporous silica-coated gold nanoparticles

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles coated with mesoporous silica (Au@mSiO₂) have been prepared by a facile one-pot two-step method. The resultant Au@mSiO₂ exhibit an ideal core–shell structure with uniform mSiO₂ coverage and without any interfacial adhesive layer on the Au surface. Some new explanations on the role that CTAB plays in the synthesis of Au@mSiO₂ are discussed.