Size-controlled preparation of dendrimer-protected gold nanoparticles: A sunlight irradiation-based strategy

Abstract A convenient and mild synthesis of dendrimer-protected gold nanoparticles by exposing a third-generation poly(propyleneimine) dendrimer (PPI-G3)–HAuCl 4 aqueous solution to sunlight without the additional step of introducing other reducing agents and protective agents was reported in this work. Because of the involvement of natural solar energy which is used as driving force for the generation of gold nanoparticles, this strategy should be economic. The formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed by UV–vis absorption spectra and transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, it is found that the size of the gold nanoparticles thus formed can be controlled by the molar ratio of PPI-G3 to gold.

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