Direct effect of tetrahedral alcohol species on the SPB of gold colloids: a deconvolution study

Aqueous gold colloids with a mean diameter of 15.4 ± 1.5 nm have been transferred into a range of water–alcohol mixtures. The influence of these mixtures (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, and tert-butanol), which present different hydrophobic properties, on the surface plasmon band of gold nanoparticles has been studied. Shifts of gold nanoparticles’ surface plasmon band (SPB) depend on the number of methyl groups and hydrophobic character of the alcohol molecule. Results from deconvolution analysis are explained considering variations on the grade of alcohol adsorption on the nanoparticle surface. TEM images indicate aggregation of the nanoclusters in mixtures of 2-propanol and tert-butanol. ζ potential measurements support the exchange of citrate ions by alcohol molecules, which in turn reflects the existence of an additional electrostatic component.