Self-reduction of gold on activated carbon cloth

Abstract

Activated carbon cloths (ACCs) were used as a support for preparation of Au nanoparticles. Pretreatment of ACCs was performed by using oxidizing agent HNO3 in order to introduce surface oxygen complex. Au nanoparticles were prepared by impregnation of tetrachloroauric acid (HAuCl4) without reducing agents in deionized water and ethanol. It was found that the preparation in ethanol solution achieved uniformly dispersed Au nanoparticles with diameter 10-100 nm on the support surfaces. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to verify structural characteristics of Au metal adsorption on oxidized ACC surfaces. Morphology and composition were carried out by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively.