Effects of varying ethanol and water concentrations as a gold nanoparticle gel solvent

Abstract

Striped gold nanoparticles are unique in several of their characteristics and applications. Recent experiments have determined a new medium with which contain the nanoparticles is that of a chemical gel. The nanoparticles for use in these studies do not require a polymer base in order to form a gel phase. However, a concrete analysis of the transition temperature between the gel and liquid phases had yet to be performed. The work performed in this experiment has determined a portion of the phase transition curve for different concentrations of ethanol and water as a solvent in this nanoparticle gel. The results of this project showed that, as expected, with an increased concentration of dissolved gold nanoparticles, the gel to liquid transition temperature increased.