Au capping agent removal using plasma at mild temperature

Abstract

To prevent sintering, ozone treatment at mild temperature is used to remove the capping agent from supported Au nanoparticles. The Au nanoparticles are first synthesized as a colloidal solution and then supported on alumina. Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) shows the capping agent is removed completely. Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and catalytic test reactions show the Au does not sinter significantly upon low temperature ozone treatment.