One-step synthesis of PEG-coated gold nanoparticles by rapid microwave heating

Abstract

Polyethylene Glycol- (PEG-) coated gold nanoparticles (PEG-AuNPs) are synthesized by a one-step route with rapid microwave heating. Homogeneous nucleation of the primary gold particles is enhanced by increasing the applied microwave power during the initial stage of the synthesis, increasing the temperature ramping rate (R r) and resulting in decreased size and improved uniformity of the synthesized PEG-AuNPs. Using rapid microwave heating, we successfully produce uniform colloidal PEG-AuNPs with an average diameter of 14.3 ± 2.5 nm within a few minutes. By appropriate tuning of the growth parameters, microwave synthesis can produce largely colloidal PEG-AuNPs with high uniformity. © 2013 Seung Kwon Seol et al.