Formation of gold nanoparticles in aqueous solutions of cellulose derivatives and a study of the properties of these nanoparticles

It was demonstrated that gold nanoparticles can be obtained by using cellulose ethers, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose as reducing agents and also as nanoparticle stabilizers. IR spectral studies revealed a difference between the mechanisms of reduction and nanoparticle stabilization by these cellulose derivatives. A scanning tunnel microscope was used to examine composite films formed from nanoparticle dispersions on the surface of polycrystalline gold films. It was demonstrated that, in the case of gold nanoparticles, densely packed globular structures are formed in a carboxymethyl cellulose solution. A fibril-like structure of layers is formed in the Au+(methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose) system.