Nanogold synthesis in wool fibres: Novel colourants

Abstract

This paper presents the novel synthesis of gold nanoparticles of different sizes and hence colours in a wool fibre matrix, simultaneously utilising the chemical affinity of gold for sulfur to bind the nanogold to the disulfide linkages in cystine amino acids in the keratin protein. For this, the wool fibres act as a solid matrix to control the particle size and prevent agglomeration of the gold nanoparticles and hence facilitate a range of attractive colours in the wool due to the surface plasmon resonance effects of such gold nanoparticles. Because the nanogold is chemically bound to the cystine, it does not wash or rub out and is also stable to UV light, unlike organic colourants. The research innovatively links the high value and prestige of gold through nanoscience for high value textiles and fashion apparel, wherein the nanogold wool composite fibres contain only pure wool and pure gold and are environmentally desirable. © The Author(s) 2011. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com.