UP scientists find eco-friendly ways to create gold nanocorals
(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES)
MANILA, Philippines — Scientists from the University of the Philippines – Diliman (UPD) have developed ways to create gold nanocorals through innovative and more environmentally-friendly methods.
Christian Paul Ende, Rufus Mart Caesar Ramos, Phil Justin Pangilinan, Rogie Bautista, and Dr. Michelle Regulacio of the UPD-College of Science (CS) Institute of Chemistry, along with John Rae Louis Escosio of the UPD-CS Natural Sciences Research Institute and the UPD-CS Materials Science and Engineering Program introduced methods using “natural, low-cost acids in water at room temperature.”
The UPD-CS Science Communications, in a statement, said the production of gold nanocorals involves “complex, costly, and environmentally harmful processes.”
In science, gold nanocorals, branched-shape structures that resemble tiny corals, are valuable in fluorescence imaging and catalysis.
“The key ingredients involved are biogenic acids that are commonly found in plants. Using the right combination of low-cost biogenic acids, we were able to produce hyperbranched gold nanocorals in water under ambient conditions, with the entire procedure completed in less than an hour,” Regulacio said in the same statement.
Regulacio, however, pointed out that the procedure indicated in the study did not produce nanocorals from other metals.
Further, the researchers believe that the research development can spark interest in hyperbranched nanomaterials and can pave the way for potential applications in various fields.
“This work demonstrates that the creation of morphological designs does not necessarily require complicated and expensive fabrication processes,” Regulacio added.
The researchers’ findings were included in their study named “A systematic study on the use of biogenic acids in directing the hyperbranched growth of Au nanocorals” published in CrystEngComm journal.
