Formation of Au nanoparticles in an ionic liquid by electron beam irradiation

摘要

A novel method to synthesize Au nanoparticles via a reductive reaction in an ionic liquid containing Au~(3+) ions was demonstrated using a low-energy electron beam irradiation technique; Au nanoparticles (～122 nm) formed by the incident electron beam were well dispersed and crystallized; this finding opens up the possibility that the use of electron beams and ionic liquids is of key importance in the development of new fabrication techniques for nanomaterials.rnNanocrystalline metals, which constitute the basis of future materials such as quantum confined optical and electronic devices, biosensors and new catalysts, have been attracting keen attention in the field of various kinds of science and technology. Much effort has been made to find and develop new structuring techniques to control their crystallinity, size and morphology.