pH Dependent Size and Size Distribution of Gold Nanoparticles

In the citrate reduction method of gold nanoparticle (AuNP) synthesis, pH of the reaction mixture can have a considerable impact on the size and size distribution of AuNPs. In this work, effects of pH variation upon the size and its distribution were examined systematically. As the initial pH was change from 5.5 to 10.5, it showed an optimal pH around 7.5. At this pH, both of the size and the size distribution showed their minimum values, which was verified by transmission electron microscopy and UV-vis spectroscopy. This occurrence of optimal pH was discussed with the results of in situ monitoring pH during the reaction of AuNP synthesis.