In Situ Formation of One-Dimensional Assemblies of Gold Nanoparticles in Confined Media

Abstract

The spontaneous in situ formation of one-dimensional (1D) assemblies of gold nanoparticles (NP) in oleylamine/bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate sodium salt/water/octane (OAm/AOT/w/o) microemulsions by exploiting both the aurophilic bonding between OAm and gold salt, and the interactions between OAm and AOT surfactant is presented. Control on the structure of the resulting assemblies is achieved by changing in the solvent quality, the [Au]/[AOT] molar ratio and the presence of different cosolutes. A possible mechanism of the formation of the 1D parallel Au NP arrays is proposed.