Synthesis of thiol-derivatised gold nanoparticles in a two-phase Liquid–Liquid system

Abstract

Using two-phase (water–toluene) reduction of AuCl4– by sodium borohydride in the presence of an alkanethiol, solutions of 1–3 nm gold particles bearing a surface coating of thiol have been prepared and characterised; this novel material can be handled as a simple chemical compound.