Coupling chemical reaction to electrospray: a novel preparation of gold nanostructures

The simultaneous reduction of Au(III) to Au(0), synthesis of gold nanoparticles and their deposition onto boron-doped silicon target have been attained by the electrospray technique. In this way the overall process can be considered as a novel chemical/physical hybrid method which synergically exploits the merits of both approaches. Various experimental conditions have been explored to optimize the process: it has been found that, by applying a negative high voltage to the boron-doped silicon target and with the presence of the surfactant Bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate sodium salt in the solution, a quantitative transformation of Au(III) to Au(0) nanoparticles has been obtained. The deposited nanoparticles structure has been studied by Wide Angle X-Ray Scattering. The molecular processes underlying the simultaneous gold reduction and nanoparticle deposition have been discussed.