The Generation and Study of a Gold-Based Chemobrionic Plant-Like Structure

Abstract

The generation of chemical gardens based on tetrachloroauric acid and silicate is presented. The structures were studied with SEM, XRD and micro-Raman spectroscopy and a new mechanism that participates in their development was revealed. Specifically, the structures were decorated with metallic Au that is derived during the process of plant-like growth. Probably, the instability of gold salts and hydroxides on silica templates accounts for their reduction to metallic Au.