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Synthesis and characterization of gold atomic clusters by the two-phase method

  • Experimental Production of Clusters
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Abstract

In this work we present a simple procedure for the production of gold atomic clusters by means of a modification of the Brust’s two-phase method, using tetrahexylammonium bromide as capping agent. The gold atomic clusters obtained have the following formula: Aun, with \(3 \leq \textit{n} \leq 13\), where n is the number of gold atoms per cluster. We report the formation of different species at different stages of the reduction reaction. Au clusters were characterized by TEM, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and UV-vis spectroscopy. Gold clusters are stable in solution after several years of preparation.

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Correspondence to M. J. Rodríguez-Vázquez.

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Rodríguez-Vázquez, M., Vázquez-Vázquez, C., Rivas, J. et al. Synthesis and characterization of gold atomic clusters by the two-phase method. Eur. Phys. J. D 52, 23–26 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2009-00061-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1140/epjd/e2009-00061-5

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