title: In situ template synthesis of gold nanoparticles using a bis-imidazolium amphiphile-based hydrogel.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Gemini-type bis-imidazolium amphiphiles are able to stabilize gold nanoparticles (GNPs) and also form hydrogels. It should be possible to obtain GNPs synthesized within these hydrogels and stabilized by the bis-imidazolium molecules.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hydrogels containing a gold salt were formed using 1,3-bis[(3-octadecyl-1-imidazolio)methyl]benzene dibromide. After aging of the gel, upon addition of the reducing agent in a solvent the formation of GNPs was assessed. The gel was characterised and the GNPs were observed using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Monodisperse GNPs with an average size of ca. 5 nm and well defined icosahedral geometry were formed in situ using the bis-imidazolium amphiphile-based hydrogel as template. Furthermore the gelator is also the stabilizing ligand of the GNPs, allowing the recovery of the GNP by disassembling the gel without aggregation of the inorganic colloid.
authors: Departament de Farmacologia i Química Terapèutica, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address: mafaldanunes@ub.edu.
authors: Mafalda
authors: M
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus Universitari, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
authors: Aziz
authors: A
authors: Genç
authors: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus Universitari, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain; Institució Catalana de Recerca i Estudis Avançats (ICREA), Passeig Lluís Companys, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Jordi
authors: J
authors: Arbiol
authors: Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB-CSIC), Campus Universitari, 08193 Bellaterra, Spain.
authors: David B
authors: DB
authors: Amabilino
authors: Departament de Farmacologia i Química Terapèutica, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Joan XXIII, s/n, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; Institut de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia IN2UB, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Lluïsa
authors: L
authors: Pérez-García
mesh_terms: D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000737:chemistry*; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
chemical_list: D007093:Imidazoles; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; D006046:Gold
keywords: Amphiphiles; Gelator; Gold nanoparticles; Icosahedral; In situ