Etching methods are now widespread for preparation of atomically monodisperse thiolate protected gold nanoparticles. Etching methods are not widespread, however, in the production of water-soluble gold nanoparticles. Reported is a new method for etching or size-focusing of large gold nanoparticles utilizing <i>para</i>-mercaptobenzoic acid. We observe preferential formation of three large gold nanoparticles with approximate masses of 22kDa, 53kDa and 88kDa. Based on the stability of these masses against further etching, they appear to be especially stable sizes. These sizes are not prominent after etching challenges with organosoluble ligands, and the 53kDa and 88kDa sizes appear novel. The overall trend in particle size distribution over time is also unusual, with larger sizes dominating at longer time points.

Size-focusing synthesis of gold nanoclusters with <i>para</i>-mercaptobenzoic acid

249th National Meeting (2015)

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Size-focusing synthesis of gold nanoclusters with para-mercaptobenzoic acid