One-step Synthesis of Gold@Silica Yolk-shell Nanoparticles with Catalytic Activity

A one-step protocol for synthesizing Au@SiO2 yolk-shell nanoparticles (YSPs) from tetrachloroauric(III) acid (HAuCl4), tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), and L-arginine in water is reported. Arginine, a basic amino acid, simultaneously reduces HAuCl4 to Au and catalyzes the reaction of TMOS to SiO2. The effects of HAuCl4, TMOS, and arginine on the morphology of YSPs are investigated. Time-course TEM analysis clarifies the formation process of the YSPs. The Au@SiO2 YSPs show good activity for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

Automated summary

A one-step protocol for synthesizing Au@SiO2 yolk-shell nanoparticles (YSPs) from tetrachloroauric(III) acid (HAuCl4), tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS), and L-arginine in water is reported. The presence of arginine plays a dual role in reducing HAuCl4 to Au and catalyzing the formation of SiO2. The YSPs demonstrate good activity in reducing 4-nitrophenol.