Free-standing gold nanoparticle membrane by the spontaneous reduction of aqueous chloroaurate ions by oxyethylene-linkage-bearing diamine at a liquid-liquid interface

The one-step synthesis of a free-standing, robust gold nanoparticle membrane (see Figure) via the spontaneous reduction of aqueous chloroaurate ions by oxyethylene-bearing diamine molecules in chloroform at the liquid-liquid interface is described. Such simply assembled membranes may have important applications in separation methodologies and as surfaces for enzyme, DNA, and cell immobilization.