updated september 2011 gold nanoparticle synthesis experiment

Updated September 2011

Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis

Experiment


Gather Supplies


Measure 400 mL distilled water into a beaker. Place it on the heated stirring

plate.

Image by HighPoint Learning


Place the copper wire or

foil into the beaker.

Suspend the gold wire or coin

with the red alligator clip so

that the clip does NOT touch

the water.



Pour in 2 mL sodium citrate and 58 mg salt.



Start the stirrer. Adjust the alligator clip so it does not touch the water so that it does not oxidize and contaminate your results.



Text boxThis is a small 24K Chinese coin purchased at a local coin dealer.



Text box

Attach the black alligator clip to the copper. Turn on the power supply

as well as the stirring plate. After about an hour, the water will turn pink.



This is a simple car

battery charger used as a

power supply.



After another hour, the water will look darker red or purple.

Pour the resulting liquid in a bottle

for future experiments.



This module is one of a series designed to introduce faculty and high school students to the basic concepts of nanotechnology. Each module includes a

PowerPoint presentation, discussion questions, and hands-on activities, when applicable.

The series was funded in part by:

The National Science Foundation

Grant DUE-0702976and the

Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative

Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in the material are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the

National Science Foundation or the Oklahoma Nanotechnology Education Initiative.


References

Lisensky, George. Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles. (2011). Exploring the Nano World. Retrieved from http://mrsec.wisc.edu/Edetc/nanolab/gold/index.html

updated september 2011 gold nanoparticle synthesis experiment

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