Synthesis of gold nanoparticles using cetyltrimethyammonium 4-vinylbenzoate as a reducing and capping agent

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) using cetyltrimethylammonium 4-vinyl benzoate (CTAVB) as a mild reducing and capping agent using a seedless method has been studied. In this present work, the effects of Au precursor and CTAVB concentration on the final product of Au NPs have been investigated. The particles were collected and characterized using an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer and a transmission electron microscope. The results show that the particle shape is dominated by triangular plate structure and its size is significantly affected by the concentration of Au precursor and CTAVB. The formation of triangular plate structure is ascribed due to a slow reduction rate of Au atoms which allows the seeds with structural defects, mainly stacking faults, stay longer in the solution and growth further into triangular plate structure.