Shape Control of Au Nanoparticles Using Flacourtia Inermis Extract

Abstract

Abstract Spherical Au nanoparticles and triangular nanostructures were synthesized with ease using the extract of the fruit of Flacourtia inermis. This sour fruit, colloquially called “lololikka” is found extensively in some regions of South India and it is reported to possess good antimicrobial activity. We have succeeded in controlling both the size as well as the shape of the particles by merely changing the reaction temperature or the extract concentration thereby rendering the synthesis protocol extremely useful for designing them for medical or catalytic applications. The effect of the nanoparticle shape in its catalytic activity has been studied by following the reduction reaction of 4- nitrophenol.