Long-Chain Hydrosilanes Mediated Phase Transfer of Aqueous Metal Nanoparticles

This research presents a new approach to the dispersion and stabilization of gold nanoparticles from aqueous to organic solution through the use of alkylsilanes. The unique phase activity of poly(hydro)silanes inspired the investigation of monomeric hydrosilanes as transfer agents. This method utilizes n-butylsilane, hexylsilane, octylsilane, and octadecylsilane as transfer agents to complete a ligand exchange, allowing the nanoparticles to flow into organic solution. These reactions were monitored and characterized through UV-Vis Spectrometry (UV-Vis), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The gold and silver nanoparticles transferred using this protocol maintained their size and shape throughout the reaction. This phase-transfer reaction successfully transferred 2-AST stabilized gold and silver nanoparticles to a variety of organic solvents which remained stable for prolonged periods.