Revitalizing the frens method to synthesize uniform, quasi-spherical gold nanoparticles with deliberately regulated sizes from 2 to 330 nm

In this work, we have successfully developed a new and consistent model to describe the growth of gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) via citrate reduction of auric acid (HAuCl4) by carefully assessing the temporal evolution of the NP sizes and surface charges by means of dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta-potential measurements. The new model demonstrates that the nucleation and growth of the Au NPs occur exclusively in the particles of the complexes of Au+ ions and sodium acetone dicarboxylate (SAD) derived from the citrate/HAuCl4 redox reaction, which proceeds as described by the classic LaMer model. Concomitant with the Au NP growing therein, the Au+/SAD complex particles undergo reversible agglomeration with the reaction time, which may result in an abnormal color change of the reaction media but have little impact on the Au NP growth. Built on the new model, we have successfully produced monodisperse quasi-spherical Au NPs with sizes precisely regulated from 2 to 330 nm via simple citrate reduction in a one-pot manner. To date, highly uniform Au NPs with sizes spanning such a large size range could not be formed otherwise even via deliberately controlled seeded growth methods.