Synthesis and self-assembly of gold nanoparticles using gemini surfactant as a phase transfer reagent and a stabilizer

Gemini surfactant 1,3-bis(cetyldimethylammonium) propane dibromide (16-3-16) was used as a phase transfer reagent as well as a stabilizer to synthesize gold nanoparticles in toluene/water media. The gold nanoparticles were prepared and their self-assembling properties were characterized by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that the 16-3-16 molecules on the surface of gold nanoparticles are in the disordered liquid state. The interparticle spacing can be controlled either physically by the inherent particle-to-particle interactions or chemically by molecular linker.