Synthesis and characterization of gold nanoparticles supported on zinc oxide via the deposition-precipitation method

摘要

Gold nanoparticles supported on zinc oxide nanoparticleswere synthesized at several pH levels via the deposition-precipitation(DP) method. The effects of pH on gold loading, particle size, andparticle size distribution on the support were studied at theiso-electric point (IEP) as well as below and above the IEP of ZnO.The addition of the support significantly changed the pH of thesolution. The effects of adjusting the pH before and after theaddition of the support into the gold chloride solution were alsoinvestigated. Gold particles with diameters of less than 5 nm wereobtained. The results revealed that gold loading depends on the pH,while gold particle size and distribution are independent of pHadjustment. Structural and elemental characterizations of the goldnanorods were carried out using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmissionelectron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),energy-dispersive X-rays (EDX), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS),and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis).