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Optical Properties and Surface Morphologies of Silica–Gold Nanoshells Depending on Buffer Solutions and Reducing Agents

  • Original Article – Nanomaterials
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Abstract

Silica–gold nanoshells (SGNSs) were prepared at different concentrations of reducible gold salts (K+AuCl4−) with a toxic formaldehyde (FAH) reducing agent. FAH-induced SGNSs (F-SGNSs) showed not only a distinct red-shift of the plasmon resonance peak but also an increase in the thickness of the gold shell in proportion to the concentration of gold salts (0.38–1.90 mM). However, the excessive addition of reducible gold salts resulted in agglomeration of the SGNSs. The F-SGNSs showed enhanced colloidal stability after the addition of buffer solutions containing different oxyanions in the following order: K2CO3 > citrate > citrate + PBS > PBS. In addition, biocompatible ascorbic acid (ASA) was used to avoid the problem of toxic FAH agents for in vivo applications. The ASA-induced SGNSs showed a smoother surface morphology and more red-shift of the surface plasmon resonance band in comparison to F-SGNSs, probably because of the coalescence of small gold clusters formed under the mild reducing power of ASA. The surface morphologies of the SGNSs and their optical properties were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, zeta-potential measurement, and UV–visible spectroscopy.

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Acknowledgements

This research was supported by a Korea Basic Institute (National Research facilities and Equipment Center) Grant funded by the Ministry of Education (2020R1A6C103A050). This study was also supported by the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (20194030202440).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Gachon University, Seongnam, 13120, South Korea

    Sang-Wha Lee, Trang Thi Thuy Nguyen & Vo Van The

  2. Research Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Pohang, 37673, South Korea

    Sang-Eun Park

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  1. Sang-Wha Lee
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Lee, SW., Nguyen, T.T.T., Van The, V. et al. Optical Properties and Surface Morphologies of Silica–Gold Nanoshells Depending on Buffer Solutions and Reducing Agents. Electron. Mater. Lett. 17, 444–450 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13391-021-00292-x

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