ISSN:
1572-8862
Keywords:
Nanoparticles
;
gold nanoclusters
;
self-assembled lattices
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
,
Physics
Notes:
Abstract The structure and ordering of nanoparticles of gold functionalized with n-alkyl thiol molecules are studied both experimentally and theoretically. Samples where produced using n=6 to n=16 alkyl thiol molecules. High Resolution Electron Microscopy coupled with image processing was used to study the gold particle structure. The details of the particle structure are discussed. We found that when the gold surface is saturated with thiol molecules there is some tendency to produce molecules with a disulphide structure. We also show that ordered arrays of particles can be produced using Langmuir-Blodgett techniques. The crystal structure of the films produced is studied and found to be 3D hcp. We also report that thiol covered gold particles with a size of ∼5 nm present a rounded shape suggesting that thiol molecules might induce an isotropic surface energy. It is found in the theoretical calculations that a strong bond between gold and sulphur is required to stabilize the complex metal-n-alkyl thiol. It is predicted that otherwise a heavily distorted nanocore will be formed. This is contrary to the observed structure of the particles.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1021998818654
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