In situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles using molecular gels and liquid crystals from vitamin-C amphiphiles

The synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles (GNP) in molecular gels and liquid crystals using self-assembling systems of AscA-based amphiphiles without using any external reducing agents were investigated. Characterization of GNP-embedded gels was carried out using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. TEM analysis showed the presence of well dispersed GNPs that were distributed throughout the gel. The long spacings were calculated from the X-ray diffraction of the gels of Asc18 prepared from water and toluene. It was observed that the organogel of Asc18 had two equally populated major long distance spacings of 5.61 and 4.46 nm.