Synthesis and catalytic activity of pluronic stabilized silver-gold bimetallic nanoparticles

In this report, we demonstrate a rapid, simple, and green method for synthesizing silver-gold (Ag-Au)bimetallic nanoparticles (BNPs). We used a novel modification to the galvanic replacement reaction by suspending maltose coated silver nanoparticles (NPs) in approximate to 2% aqueous solution of EO100PO65EO100 (Pluronic F127) prior to HAuCl4 addition. The Pluronic F127 stabilizes the BNPs, imparts biocompatibility, and mitigates the toxicity issues associated with other surfactant stabilizers. BNPs with higher Au : Ag ratios and, subsequently, different morphologies were successfully synthesized by increasing the concentration of gold salt added to the Ag NP seeds. These BNPs have enhanced catalytic activities than typically reported for monometallic Au or Ag NPs (similar to 2-10 fold) of comparable sizes in the sodium borohydride reduction of 4-nitrophenol. The 4-nitrophenol reduction rates were highest for partially hollow BNP morphologies.