title: Synthesis and Catalytic Activity of Pluronic Stabilized Silver-Gold Bimetallic Nanoparticles.
abstract: In this report, we demonstrate a rapid, simple, and green method for synthesizing silver-gold (Ag-Au) bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs). We used a novel modification to the galvanic replacement reaction by suspending maltose coated silver nanoparticles (NPs) in ≈ 2% aqueous solution of EO100PO65EO100(Pluronic F127) prior to HAuCl4addition. The Pluronic F127 stabilizes the BNPs, imparts biocompatibility, and mitigates the toxicity issues associated with other surfactant stabilizers. BNPs with higher Au:Ag ratios and, subsequently, different morphologies were successfully synthesized by increasing the concentration of gold salt added to the Ag NP seeds. These BNPs have enhanced catalytic activities than typically reported for monometallic Au or Ag NPs (∼ 2-10 fold) of comparable sizes in the sodium borohydride reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The 4-nitrophenol reduction rates were highest for partially hollow BNP morphologies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350.
authors.forename: Megan S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Holden
authors.affiliation: Department of Earth and Biological Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350.
authors.forename: Kevin E
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Nick
authors.affiliation: Elizabeth City State University, 1704 Weeksville Rd, Elizabeth City, NC 27909.
authors.forename: Mia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Drive, La Jolla, CA 92093.
authors.forename: Jamie R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Milligan
authors.affiliation: Chemistry Department, School of Life Sciences, Sussex University, Brighton, BN1 9QJ, UK.
authors.forename: Qiao
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92350.
authors.forename: Christopher C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Perry
keywords: 4-nitrophenol; bimetallic nanoparticles; catalytic activity; triblock copolymer; tunable composition