Controlled formation of smaller gold nanoparticles by the use of four-chained disulfide stabilizer

Size control of gold nanoparticles by tuning molecular cross section of stabilizer molecules is reported. A newly synthesized four-chained disulfide ligand was used as the stabilizer of gold nanoparticles, and the nanoparticles were prepared by NaBH₄ reduction of gold ions. By the use of this stabilizer, smaller and monodispersed gold nanoparticles were obtained, when compared to those prepared by using conventional monoalkanethiols. The present design of stabilizer molecules can be used to systematically control the size of nanoparticles with atomic precision.