Ligand Control over the Electronic Properties within the Metallic Core of Gold Nanoparticles

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Abstract

The behavior of electrons within the metallic core of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) can be controlled by the nature of the surface chemistry of the AuNPs. Specifically, the conduction electron spin resonance (CESR) spectra of AuNPs of diameter 1.8-1.9nm are sensitive to ligand exchange of hexanethiol for 4-bromothiophenol on the surface of the nanoparticle. Chemisorption of the aromatic ligand leads to a shift in the metallic electron's g-factor toward the value expected for pure gold systems, suggesting an increase in metallic character for the electrons within the gold core. Analysis by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy reveals a concomitant bathochromic shift of the surface plasmon resonance band of the AuNP, indicating that other electronic properties of AuNPs are also affected by the ligand exchange. In total, our results demonstrate that the chemical nature of the ligand controls the valence band structure of AuNPs. Good as gold: The surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is shown to influence the behavior of electrons within the metallic core. Conduction electron spin resonance (CESR) spectra and surface plasmon resonance bands for AuNPs are sensitive to ligand exchange of hexanethiol for 4-bromothiophenol on the surface of the NPs, demonstrating that the chemical nature of the ligand controls the valence band structure of AuNPs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)11750-11753
Number of pages4
JournalAngewandte Chemie - International Edition
Volume54
Issue number40
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 1 2015

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Catalysis
  • General Chemistry

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