Biomimetic synthesis of gold nanocrystals using a reducing amphiphile.

The first synthesis of a chelating and reactive surfactant derived from citric acid and a short silicone as hydrophobic tail is described. Aqueous solutions of this reactive amphiphile spontaneously induce gold ion reduction, particle nucleation, and further direct crystal growth. The process, both pH and light dependent, occurs through lipid-directed assembly of metal ions, their reduction and subsequent lipid-directed growth to yield ultrathin (approximately 7 nm thick) quasi two-dimensional gold nanocrystals.