Influence of precursor on the particle size and stability of colloidal gold nanoparticles

Particle size and stability of colloidal gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have considerable importance in nanocatalysis due to their beneficial properties. Colloidal AuNPs of the present study were prepared in aqueous solution by one-step chemical reduction of various gold metal precursors. The nature of Au precursor showed a significant effect on the size and stability of colloidal AuNPs. Furthermore, the study describes the effect of different synthesis parameters such as temperature, pH-value, concentration of precursors and reducing agent on the size of the colloidal AuNPs. The obtained samples were characterized by means of UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements.