SYNTHESIS AND CATALYTIC ACTIVITY OF BRANCHED GOLD NANOPARTICLES IN AQUEOUS MEDIUM

In this article, a simple method for the preparation of multi–branched gold nanoparticles from an aqueous solution of silver seeds, cetyl-trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), HAuCl4, and Pluronic F–127 was described. It was found that morphologies and sizes of gold nanostructures (AuNPs) depended strongly on such experimental parameters as concentrations of Pluronic F–127 and Au3+. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Interestingly, the multi – branched AuNPs were found to serve as an effective catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) to 4-aminophenol (4-AP) in the presence of NaBH4. Kinetic data have been obtained from monitoring the concentrations of 4-NP and BH4‒ by UV‒vis spectroscopy