Purpose: To develop a novel approach to green synthesis of nano-polymer porous gold oxide
nanoparticles, and examine the effects of the temperatures on their surface.
Methods: Green synthesis of nano-polymer porous gold oxide nanoparticles (GONPs) using cetyle
trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) surfactant with a mixture of
Olea europaea
fruit and
Acacia Nilotica
extracts, was performed using sol-gel method. The nanoporous particles were characterized by
UV (ultraviolet (UV) visible spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) while a zetasizer was
applied to determine their average particle size. Their surface morphology and shape were assessed by
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning election microscopy (SEM) while surface area
was measured using nitrogen gas adsorption method.
Results: TEM and SEM images showed a smooth, cylindrical or spherical, and cluster shapes, and
porous surface morphology. Increase in calcination temperature resulted in increase in surface area and
pore volume of nanoparticles. This feature yielded GONPs that were unique with a high surface area of
146.706 m
2/g.
Conclusion: The approach used in this study constitutes a new and rapid green synthesis of porous
nanoparticles of gold oxide under simple conditions. Furthermore, increase in GONPs surface area is
enhanced by increase in calcination temperature.
