A Golden Egg in a Basket
Gold Powder in a Nanospace Opens a New Road in Catalyst Technology

2010.07.12

National Institute for Materials Science

A research group headed by Dr. Ajayan Vinu, an Independent Scientist at the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics, National Institute for Materials Science, established the world’s first technique for synthesizing metallic nanoparticles of gold and other metals with a precisely ordered size without using a stabilizer or reducing agent.

Abstract

  1. A research group headed by Dr. Ajayan Vinu, an Independent Scientist at the International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics (MANA; Director-General: Masakazu Aono), National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS; President: Sukekatsu Ushioda), established the world’s first technique for synthesizing metallic nanoparticles of gold and other metals with a precisely ordered size without using a stabilizer or reducing agent.
  2. High expectations are placed on gold nanoparticles in a diverse range of applications from fuel cells, various types of catalysts, and material separation to electronics and cosmetics. Because their properties are determined by their particle size, the establishment of a simple method for controlling particle size is extremely important.
  3. The NIMS research group fabricated particles of a precisely determined size by growing gold nanoparticles in a space with a carefully specified size of nanometer scale using an independently developed nanoporous carbon nitride (MCN: mesoporous carbon nitride).
  4. The amino radical in the nanopores plays the role of a stabilizer and reducing agent, having an action which produces elemental gold from a precursor, and synthesis of the nanoparticles occurs naturally without using any special chemical substance.
  5. As verification, the group confirmed the gold nanoparticles function as a catalyst for synthesis of the substance propargylamine, which is used in drugs. Gold nanoparticles which are fixed in the nanoporous substance do not agglomerate and lose their activity, and can be recycled any number of times with only simple washing.
  6. The same methodology also will enable low-cost mass production of various types of gold nanoparticles. This technology is not limited to catalyst development, but is also expected to make a large contribution in material separation, hydrogen storage, drug delivery, and fuel cell electrode materials.
  7. This research achievement is scheduled to be announced online in the science journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition on July 19, 2010.