pH Dependence of Size Control in Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized at Room Temperature

Abstract

We have developed the spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with different size at room temperature using L-ascorbic acid as a reducing agent. Controlling pH of L-ascorbic acid from 2.0 to 10.0 caused the decreasing of AuNPs size when measured using particle size analyzer. The alkaline condition leads to increase the reactivity of L-ascorbic acid even at room temperature. The homogeneous AuNPs were achieved even the synthesis was conducted at different pH of L-ascorbic acid (pH 2.0 to 12.0). The investigation using Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirmed that AuNPs performed a spherical shape. SEM-EDX measurement performed a strong characteristic peak of Au appeared at 2.0 keV. This research could be used to control of AuNPs size when synthesized at room temperature. The AuNPs obtained at optimum condition was stable up to 3 months.