Analyzing the Nanoscale Properties of Gold Nanoparticles Using UV-VIS Spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy

Authors:

• Students:
  • Aidan Dauber
  • Asher David
  • Jillian Ketchen
  • Gregory Kwan
  • Jillian Mills
  • Jacob Shalabi
  • Ritul Soni
  • Erica Strojny
• Teachers:
  • Benjamin Voliva
• Mentors:
  • Xuedan Ma (Argonne National Laboratory, Center for Nanoscale Materials)

Center for Nanoscale Materials

The purpose of the experiment is to observe the scattering phenomena that the gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit and to identify the relationship between NP size and resonance frequency. The Au NPs will be synthesized via the reduction of Chloroauric acid (HAuCl4) by sodium citrate and will adhere to a uniform quasi-spherical shape. Through microscopy and spectroscopy techniques, the metrology and optical characterization of the Au NPs will be determined at the CNM. Data will then be collected on the morphology and resonance frequencies of the substances. The results are anticipated to show a direct correlation between nanosphere diameter and scattering intensity. Furthermore, as nanoparticle size increases, a red shift in the UV-Vis spectrum is expected.

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