A novel route for the preparation of gold nanoparticles in polycaprolactone nanofibers

Abstract

A facile strategy for the fabrication of polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers containing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) is proposed. The method is based on electrospinning nanosuspensions loaded with passivated Au nanoparticles. The optical property of gold nanoparticles synthesized was observed by UV-visible absorption spectra. Morphology and structure of the Au-PCL hybrid nanofibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, scanning transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The results of investigations by UV-visible and dynamic light scattering confirmed the presence of gold nanoparticles with diameters less than 10 nm. The STEM images show the presence of gold nanoparticles and gold agglomerates with diameter around 30 to 180 nm distributed over the surface of nanofibers, which is likely due to the increased incidence of agglomerations of AuNPs, due to drying process used.