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Simple approach for gold nanoparticle synthesis using an Ar-bubbled plasma setup

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Abstract

The synthesis procedure represents a key aspect in designing the physical and chemical properties of gold nanoparticles. The current study proposes a simple approach for gold nanoparticles synthesis using non-thermal plasma. The novelty of the setup consists in producing an in-liquid plasma discharge in argon bubbles that are externally generated in the solution exposed to treatment. Because plasma is the source of active species which are directly involved in gold reduction, no additional reducing agent was necessary. Collagen protein was used as capping agent. A plasma treatment of 10 min is sufficient for obtaining stable colloidal solutions with UV-Vis absorption maximum at 530 nm. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed preponderant spherical nanoparticles with dimensions in the range of 6–20 nm. The method of synthesis distinguishes by its good reproducibility, facility, efficiency, and ability to generate stable colloidal nanoparticles after several minutes of plasma exposure.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Dr. Teodora Radu, Institute of Interdisciplinary Research on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Cluj-Napoca for her help in performing the XPS measurements. Nicolae Leopold acknowledges support from UEFISCDI PNII-RU-TE_323/2010 grant. I. E. Vlad highly acknowledges financial support from the Babeş-Bolyai University Performance Scholarship with the contract number 34829-14/11.12.2013.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Physics, Babeş-Bolyai University, M. Kogălniceanu 1, 400084, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    I. E. Vlad, O. T. Marisca, A. Vulpoi, S. Simon, N. Leopold & S. D. Anghel

  2. Institute of Interdisciplinary Research on Bio-Nano-Sciences, Treboniu Laurian 42, 400271, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

    A. Vulpoi & S. Simon

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  1. I. E. Vlad
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  6. S. D. Anghel
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Correspondence to S. D. Anghel.

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Vlad, I.E., Marisca, O.T., Vulpoi, A. et al. Simple approach for gold nanoparticle synthesis using an Ar-bubbled plasma setup. J Nanopart Res 16, 2633 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-014-2633-6

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