Simple Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Gold Leaf by Electrolysis
Issued Date
2024-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
00219584
eISSN
19381328
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85202473039
Journal Title
Journal of Chemical Education
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Chemical Education (2024)
Suggested Citation
Dechen P., Chumkaeo P., Temnuch N., Meechai T., Chuaitammakit L.C., Jansoon N., Somsook E. Simple Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Gold Leaf by Electrolysis. Journal of Chemical Education (2024). doi:10.1021/acs.jchemed.4c00601 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/100928
Title
Simple Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs) from Gold Leaf by Electrolysis
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
The combination of nanotechnology and chemical education provides new avenues and exciting activities for students. With the easily accessible resources and facile synthetic approach of electrolysis, we report herein a comprehensive hands-on experiment of synthesizing gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) from gold leaf in classrooms. The provided guidelines permit teachers and students to perform laboratory activities for the synthesis of nanoparticles and learn the interactions between nanoparticles and light. AuNPs were synthesized in an aqueous solution containing sodium chloride (NaCl) as an electrolyte, glucose (C6H12O6) as a reducing agent, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a stabilizing agent. During the COVID pandemic, this experiment was modified to allow students to perform it at home. The electrolytic solution was replaced with jelly without the addition of extra stabilizing agents or reducing agents. Moreover, the power supply was replaced by a 9-V battery. The gold nanoparticles were successfully synthesized but with a larger size. This experiment is valuable and effective, and the findings can be discussed in the context of learning about nanoparticle synthesis and their optical characteristics, which can be applied to high school and undergraduate students under supervision in classroom learning and remote education.