Characterization of Au Nanoparticle Film Electrodes Prepared on Polystyrene

Au nanoparticle films prepared on a polystyrene substrate were studied as a new electrode material. The films were formed from Au particles with different sizes (2–50 nm) and binder molecules (methanethiol, butanethiol, pentanethiol, hexanethiol and heptanethiol) on the substrate with a straightforward procedure. The electrode allows one to monitor reactions occurring only on the nanoparticles, and the catalytic currents resulting from small molecules such as hydrogen peroxide and organic amines were successfully detected in such a manner.