Dense nanoparticulate thin films via gold nanoparticle self-assembly

Abstract

Thin metallic-composite films comprising a dense packing of 6 nm diameter (thiol-free) gold nanoparticles were produced from a single nanoparticle deposition step from aqueous solution onto polyelectrolyte-derived gold (QCM), quarts, and polymer (colloid) substrates. The dense packing originated because of the adsorbed nature of the nanoparticle protecting ligand as well as the polyelectrolyte support employed.