Preparation of gold nanoparticles using 2-vinylpyridine telomers possessing multi-hydrocarbon chains as stabilizer

Gold nanoparticles have been prepared in water by reduction of HAuCl4 with NaBH4 in the presence of 2-vinylpyridine telomers. The telomers (nRm-2VPQ, n is the total number of chain; m is the main chain length) consist of multi-octyl side chains or multi-dodecyl side chains (2.1R8-2VPQ, 2.5R12-2VPQ, and 3.4R12-2VPQ). The particle size of gold decreases with increasing telomer concentration and stable gold nanoparticles are obtained above the critical micelle concentration of the telomer. The change in the particle size can be correlated with the structure of the telomer; when the alkyl chain length is longer and the total chain number is greater, the size becomes smaller.