2-Thiopheneacetic acid directed synthesis of Au nanorosette as an SERS-active substrate

Rosette-like nanoscale Au materials were simply prepared through one-pot reduction of the AuCl₄⁻ precursor by 2-thiopheneacetic acid (2-TAA) without extra surface capping ligands at room temperature. 2-TAA underwent polymerization into polythiophene derivatives while the AuCl₄⁻ precursor was simultaneously reduced into various Au nanostructures. In situ generated polythiophene derivatives played a significant role of surface passivation in guiding the shape of Au nanostructures. The morphology of Au nanostructures was strongly dependent on the molar ratio of 2-TAA to AuCl₄⁻. At lower [2-TAA]/[AuCl₄⁻] ratios, uniform rosette-like Au microparticles consisting of 30-nm-thick Au nanoplates were observed. The Au nanoplates had either triangular prismatic or hexagonal geometry with many defects. Uniform Au nanorosettes could be easily deposited on the Si substrate by drop-casting and were subsequently used as highly active SERS substrates for the detection of methylene blue and crystal violet by Raman spectroscopy. Upon increasing the ratio of [2-TAA]/[AuCl₄⁻], Au nanoparticles or nanorods heavily surrounded with polythiophene polymers were obtained.