Synthesis of uniform gold nanoparticles using non-pathogenic bio-control agent: Evolution of morphology from nano-spheres to triangular nanoprisms

• Published in: Journal of colloid and interface science Vol. 367; no. 1; pp. 148 - 152
• Main Authors: Mukherjee, P., Roy, Mainak, Mandal, B.P., Choudhury, Sipra, Tewari, R., Tyagi, A.K., Kale, S.P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Inc 01.02.2012; Elsevier
• Subjects: Biological synthesis; centrifugation; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; Exotic morphology; fungi; General and physical chemistry; Gold; Gold - chemistry; Gold nanoparticle; Gold nanoprisms; Green Chemistry Technology - methods; Morphology; Nanocomposites; nanogold; Nanomaterials; Nanoparticles; Nanoparticles - chemistry; Nanoparticles - ultrastructure; nanospheres; Nanostructure; Nanotechnology - methods; Non-pathogenic; Oxidation-Reduction; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena; reaction kinetics; Reduction; spectroscopy; Synthesis; transmission electron microscopy; Trichoderma - chemistry; Trichoderma asperellum; Non-pathogenic; Exotic morphology; Gold nanoprisms; Biological synthesis; Gold nanoparticle; Gold; Capping; Shape; Nanoparticle; Transition metal; Chemical reduction; Transmission electron microscopy; Synthesis; Complexing agent; Morphology; Green chemistry; Nanosphere; Kinetics; Diameter; Environmental protection; Ultraviolet visible spectrometry
• ISSN: 0021-9797; 1095-7103
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2011.08.085

[Display omitted] ► Room temperature synthesis of Au-nps/nano Δ’s using non-pathogenic bio-control agent. ► Formation of exotic phases: fusion of nanospheres to form optically flat prisms. ► Detailed electron microscopic study on the evolution of morphology. ► Isolation of the desired phase by differential centrifugation. Green synthesis of gold nanospheres with uniform diameter and triangular nanoprisms with optically flat surface was carried out using a non-pathogenic bio-control agent Trichoderma asperellum for reduction of HAuCl4. Kinetics of the reaction was monitored by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy. No additional capping/complexing agent was used for stabilizing the gold nanoparticles. Evolution of morphology from pseudospherical nanoparticles to triangular nanoprisms was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It revealed that three or more pseudospheres fused to form nanoprisms of different shapes and sizes. Slow rate of reduction of HAuCl4 by constituents of cell-free fungal extract was instrumental in producing such exotic morphologies. Isolation of gold nanotriangles from the reacting masses was achieved by differential centrifugation.