Synthesis of gold nanoparticles stabilised by metal-chelator and the controlled formation of close-packed aggregates by them

Nanoparticles have properties that can be fine-tuned by their size as well as shape. Hence, there is significant current interest in preparing nano-materials of small size dispersity and to arrange them in close-packed aggregates. This manuscript describes ways of synthesising gold nanoparticles using a metal-chelator derivative 1, as stabiliser. Controlled synthesis conditions lead to formation of nanoparticles thereby indicating the ability of 1 to act as efficient stabiliser. The nanoparticles formed were characterised by transmission electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectroscopy. TEM analysis showed the formation of dense aggregates of nanoparticles. This can be ascribed to the inter-particle hydrogen bonding possible by the carboxylic acid moiety of 1 that leads to aggregation. The aggregation can be controlled by the pH of the solution employed for dispersing the particles.