Microwave Accelerated Green Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Using Gum Arabic and their Physico-Chemical Properties Assessments

Microwave enhanced gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) were synthesized using gum Arabic as both reducing and stabilizing agents. Response surface methodology was applied to study effects of the Au NPs synthesized parameters, namely, microwave exposure time (90-180 s) and the amount of AgNO3 solution (1-10 mL) on the mean particle size, mixture solution color and concentration of the synthesized Au NPs. The colloidal solution containing well-dispersed and spherical fabricated Au NPs with mean particle size (22 nm) and maximum concentration (159 ppm) and color (1.12 absorbance unit, a.u.), were obtained at the optimal synthesis conditions, using 8.17 mL of HAuCl4 (1 mM) and 2 mL of gum Arabic solution (4% w/v) during microwave exposure time of 180 s. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized Au NPs at obtained optimum synthesis conditions were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy.