Gold nanoparticles having a rod-like morphology are regularly investigated as potential nano-therapeutic materials owing to their interesting optical properties, facile surface modification, tunable aspect ratios, and low cytotoxicity. Gold nanorods are historically prepared starting from HAuCl4 in the presence of ascorbic acid, silver nitrate, and the growth directing surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). While this synthetic approach is effective, there are several inherent problems, two of which we have investigated. First, only about 15% of the starting gold is converted into gold nanorods and second, CTAB is known to be cytotoxic. Over the last few years, our group has worked to improve upon both of these issues. Through a novel re-seeding approach we achieved a nearly 75% conversion of gold into nanorods and in a separate study showed that the less toxic, alternative surfactant dodecylethyldimethylammonium bromide (C12EDMAB) can be used in place of CTAB for nanorod growth.

Improved synthetic efficiency and greener preparation of gold nanorods

255th National Meeting (2018)

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