One-step synthesis of hollow porous gold nanoparticles with tunable particle size for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Hollow porous gold nanoparticles (HPGNPs) were synthesized via a one-step solution phase method at ambient temperature. The particle size, ranging from 80 nm to 350 nm, was easily controlled by changing the concentration of HAuCl4. The morphology and the structure of the as-prepared HPGNPs were investigated by SEM, TEM, HRTEM and XPS. Langmuir isotherm analysis yielded values of 8973 m2/g for the outer surface area and 58724 m2/g for the inner surface area for the 80 nm HPGNPs. Due to a special hollow porous nanostructure, the HPGNPs exhibited superior catalytic activity and stability for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP). No significant inactivation of the 80 nm HPGNPs was observed, even after recycling for six cycles or storing for more than 1 month. Due to these excellent properties, it is expected that HPGNPs can be used in such applications as water pollutant removal and environmental remediation.