title: A tri-block copolymer templated synthesis of gold nanostructures.
abstract: Stable ultra-small gold nanoparticles have been synthesized in aqueous phase by using a tri-block copolymer (BMB) as a templating agent consisting of two PEG-methylacrylate chains (B blocks) anchored to a poly(methacrylic) moiety containing a trithiocarbonate unit (M block). The effect of the BMB/Au molar ratios on the final particle size, shape and monodispersity has been investigated. The synthesized nanosols have been characterized by means of Visible Absorption, Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). Results clearly indicate that the polymer plays a key role in determining the size and shape of gold particles, from fractal-like structures to monodisperse spherical particles with a mean diameter of about 3 nm. The aggregation behavior of these nanostructures has been characterized both in solution (SAXS) as well as on mica substrate (AFM) and has been proven to be driven by the polymer to gold concentration ratio.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and CSGI, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino-Florence 50019, Italy.
authors.forename: Ester
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Falletta
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ridi
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fratini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vannucci
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Canton
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bianchi
authors.forename: Valter
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Castelvetro
authors.forename: Piero
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Baglioni