Effect of vibrations on the formation of gold nanoparticle aggregates at the toluene–water interface

We report on the profound effect of vibrations on the formation and ordering of aggregates of gold nanoparticles formed at the toluene–water interface using high-resolution atomic force microscopy. We obtain 2.3 nm thick monolayer films composed of gold nanoparticles of 1.2 nm diameter, with an organic capping of 1.1 nm, at the early stages of the reaction carried out on an anti-vibration table. Reaction carried out on a table without anti-vibration fixtures produces thicker films composed of 1.2 nm nanoparticles. The results demonstrate that the reduction reaction carried out at the toluene–water interface on an anti-vibration table provides a suitable means for large scale synthesis of Au-55 like nanoparticles.