Surfactant-free gold nanoparticles synthesized in alkaline water-ethanol mixtures: leveraging lower grade chemicals for size control of active nanocatalysts

Abstract

Low(er) purity chemicals are often detrimental for nanomaterial synthesis. Here, lower grade chemicals, e.g. lower grade water, are used to achieve size control over surfactant-free gold nanoparticles simply obtained at room temperature in alkaline ethanol-water mixtures. The nanoparticles are active catalysts, e.g. for water treatment with the example of the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The simple strategy reported to obtain size-controlled gold nanoparticles opens new door for the holistic development of sustainable nanotechnologies.