title: Catechin-capped gold nanoparticles: green synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity toward 4-nitrophenol reduction.
abstract: An eco-friendly approach is described for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using catechin as a reducing and capping agent. The reaction occurred at room temperature within 1 h without the use of any external energy and an excellent yield (99%) was obtained, as determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Various shapes of gold nanoparticles with an estimated diameter of 16.6 nm were green-synthesized. Notably, the capping of freshly synthesized gold nanoparticles by catechin was clearly visualized with the aid of microscopic techniques, including high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. Strong peaks in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the as-prepared gold nanoparticles confirmed their crystalline nature. The catalytic activity of the as-prepared gold nanoparticles was observed in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of NaBH4. The results suggest that the newly prepared gold nanoparticles have potential uses in catalysis.
authors.forename: Yoonho
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Myung-Jin
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.forename: Song-Hyun
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Cha
authors.forename: Yeong Shik
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seonho
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Inje University, 197 Inje-ro, Gimhae, Gyeongnam 621-749, Republic of Korea. youmiep@inje.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Youmie
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Park