Biphasic Approach for the Synthesis of Au Nanoparticles via Diffusional Release of Gallic Acid from Supramolecular Hydrogels to Aqueous Solutions: Implications for Biomedical Applications

GARCÍA SCHEJTMAN, SERGIO D.; MERCADAL, PABLO A.; PICCHIO, MATÍAS L.; VEGLIA, ALICIA V.; CORONADO, EDUARDO A.

ACS Applied Nano Materials

American Chemical Society

Año: 2023 vol. 6 p. 7259 - 7268

Owing to the unique optical and chemical properties of plasmonic nanoparticles, new synthetic approaches for their fabrication are constantly being developed to control their size, shape, colloidal stability, and surface functionalization. This work presents a biphasic method based on the controlled release of a reducing agent from a supramolecular polymer hydrogel to produce gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). Specifically, Au NPs are obtained by gallic acid (GA) diffusion from a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/GA hydrogel to a Au3+ solution using the reducing properties of polyphenols. The formation process of Au NPs is investigated under different conditions, such as changing the PVA/GA stochiometric ratio and Au3+ concentration. It is demonstrated that a subtle change in the conditions leads to different Au NPs sizes and morphologies. Au NPs of small size can be obtained (