Determining the Size and Shape of Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles (GNPs) are studied because they have unique optical properties making them very useful for things such as diagnostics. GNPs were synthesized using cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to create icosahedral shapes and were then studied based on their Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). Various imaging techniques were used in order to better understand the structure of GNPs and to prove a high yield for the controlled synthesis. Through the work by Haiss, et al. spherical gold nanoparticles were also synthesized and size was determined through UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR). In another study by Kwon, et al. transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and UV-vis were used to study the GNPs synthesized to determine the size and shape. Equations were developed based on the diameter of the particle through SPR and UV-vis spectra data which allowed one to be able to quickly and easily calculate size and concentration of GNPs. In conclusion, GNPs were synthesized using two different methods to produce spherical and icosahedral shapes and then were studied to determine size and their SERS properties.