Synthesis of Phenolic Polymer-Coated Gold Nanoparticles

The synthesis of phenolic polymer-coated gold nanoparticles (PMP/Au) by polymerization of phenol derivatives was reported. Phenolic polymer having thiol moiety was synthesized for the synthesis. Catalytic sulfuric acid was added to a mixture of mercaptophenol and paraformaldehyde in 2-ethoxyethanol. The solution was heated at 100°C for 2 hours. The gold nanoparticles were prepared by reduction of HAuCl4 in the presence of PMP. HAuCl 4 and PMP were dissolved into 2-ethoxyethanol. The observations indicate that PMP acts as protecting agent for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. Surface plasmon adsorption band at 522 nm was observed, indicating the formation of gold nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) established that the content of PMP in the PMP/Au nanoparticles was 73.7 wt%. Proton signals from phenol moiety around 9.8 ppm disappeared in PMP/Au nanoparticles, indicating that inter-and intra-hydrogen bonding between PMPs on gold nanoparticles formed and free PMP, which did not bind the gold nanoparticles.