Gold Nanoparticles in Novel Green Deep Eutectic Solvents: Self-Limited Growth, Self-Assembly & Catalytic Implications
AbstractIn this article, we are reporting the catalytic activity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) dispersed in a novel eco-friendly Deep Eutectic Solvent (DES; choline chloride and urea) at room temperature. A low energy sputter deposition method is employed to synthesize AuNPs on the DES surface. This is a simple, economical and clean method for producing monodisperse gold nanoparticles by a self-limited growth mechanism. Detailed Small Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS), UV–Vis and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) investigations show the formation of spherical AuNPs of 5 nm in diameter. Moreover, these particles have a strong tendency to self-assemble at the DES surface as well as into the bulk. This is a new addition to a novel generation of gold based catalysts. The catalytic activity of Au nanoparticles in DES is revealed quantitatively by analyzing the apparent conversion reaction rate constant