Influence of different stabilizers on the morphology of gold nanoparticles

Objectives The current study revealed that the used stabilizers greatly affect the morphology as well as the aspect ratio of the obtained gold nanoparticles. Background Control of the morphology and dimensions of gold nanoparticles during the preparation is an important task for targeting certain applications in demand. Material and methods Gold nanoparticles were prepared by the reduction of tetrachloroauric(III) acid in the presence of different stabilizers: polyethyleneimine (PEI), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and chitosan. Results In the case of using polyethyleneimine, the produced nanoparticles showed a homogenous spherical structure. Meanwhile, in the case of using polyvinylpyrrolidone and chitosan, the produced nanoparticles experience non-homogenous morphology with great diversity. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-vis) techniques were employed to study the criteria of the obtained gold nanoparticles. Conclusions It was obviously concluded that the type and concentration of the reducing agents that were added during gold preparation and acted as stabilizer templates affect to a great extent the morphology and particle shape. Also, stabilizers affect the homogeneity of the produced gold nanoparticles. In the case of using polyethyleneimine, the produced nanoparticles showed a homogenous spherical structure. Meanwhile, in the case of polyvinylpyrrolidone and chitosan, the produced nanoparticles experience non-homogenous morphology with great diversity.