In situ analysis of the formation steps of gold nanoparticles by oleylamine reduction

Abstract

A colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles is synthesized with the use of sodium tetrachloroaurate(III) as a precursor, oleylamine as a reducer and surfactant, and 1-octadecene as a solvent. Reaction stages are analyzed in situ by optical (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy with a simultaneous analysis of particle sizes by dynamic light scattering and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy for the analysis of the gold oxidation state. After the synthesis the size of obtained nanoparticles is determined by transmission electron microscopy. The analysis of the obtained experimental data reveals the presence of three main steps in the reduction reaction mechanism, corresponding to Au³⁺, Au⁺, Au⁰, which enables the construction of the reaction model. The reaction mechanism involves the formation of gold(I) complexes with oleylamine, followed by polymerization and the formation of gold nanoclusters coated with oleylamine.