Abstract
► Chitosan stabilized gold nanoparticles are prepared by atmospheric plasma. ► Shape and size of gold nanoparticles vary with the ratio of chitosan to HAuCl4. ► Treatment time by plasma also affects the shape and size of gold nanoparticles. ► Moisture in air produces active ingredients as reducing agents during discharge.
We report a facile method to prepare gold nanoparticles by atmospheric plasma. Chitosan, was used as a stabilizing agent and gold precursor. In chitosan solution was reduced by atmospheric plasma at room temperature. We find the plasma treatment is effective for reducing the gold precursor and the process only takes minutes. The obtained gold nanoparticles were characterized with UV–vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that the morphology and size distribution of gold nanoparticles prepared varied with treatment time and the ratio of chitosan to precursor metal salts. Additionally, a preliminary study on air component analysis indicated that the moisture in air plays an important role in producing the active ingredient for the production of gold nanoparticles.