Hyperbranched poly(amine-ester) templates for the synthesis of Au nanoparticles

Highly stable, uniform, and monodisperse An nanoparticles, protected by hyperbranched poly(amine-ester) (HPAE-5), were prepared by reducing HPAE-5/hydrogen tetrachloroaurate using sodium borohydride in aqueous solution. UV-visible absorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and electron diffraction (ED) have been used to study the structure and characterization of the nanocomposites. From which, it can be suggested that An nanoparticles are formed inside HPAE-5 and located offset from the center, besides that the distribution of An nanoparticles is narrow. The simple procedure and good results allow for a complete understanding of previous reported difficulties in preparing Au nanoparticles by wet method. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.