Rate redox-controlled green photosynthesis of gold nanoparticles using H 3+xPMo 12-xV xO 40

Abstract

Stabilized and size-controlled gold nanoparticles were synthesized using molybdophosphoric acid (H 3[PMo 12O 40], HPMo) and its vanadium-substituted mixed addenda (H 3+x[PMo 12-xV xO 40], (x00-3); and HPMoV x) under UV irradiation by a simple green method. In the process, HPMo and HPMoV x play the role of photocatalyst, reducing agent and efficient stabilizer. Control of gold nanoparticles size was achieved by variation of initial gold ions concentration and molar ratio of HPMo to gold ions. The synthesis rate of Au nanoparticles was found to be parallel to an increasing x value in the order of: HPMoV 3>HPMoV 2 > HPMoV>HPMo, which leads to smaller and more uniform particles. Also, by substitution of vanadium instead of molybdenum in the HPMo formula, the morphology of nanoparticles was gradually changed from spherical-shaped nanoparticles in the presence of HPMo to nanorods in the case of HPMoV 3. © The Author(s) 2012. This article is published with open access at SpringerLink.com.