One Pot Synthesis of Au_ ZnO Core-Shell Nanoparticles Using a Zn Complex Acting as ZnO Precursor, Capping and Reducing Agent During the Au NPs Formation

Semiconducting ZnO nanostructures show a wide band gap, a large free exciton binding energy, high electron mobility and are excellent for ultraviolet detection. Noble-metals absorb visible light and produce localized surface plasmon resonance useful to enhance visible photodetection. Therefore the coupling of gold nanoparticles and the wide-band-gap ZnO semiconductor represents the moist suited way to enhance photodetection. The Au_ZnO system has already been obtained by multiple-step syntheses that involve the selective preparation of Au nanoparticles and ZnO whose subsequent blending may not be fully effective. In the present study we report on a one pot synthesis of Au_ZnO core-shell nanoparticles using a zinc complex that acts as ZnO precursor, reducing and capping agent for Au3+ and Au nanoparticles, respectively. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report concerning an inorganic complex that acts as metal-oxide precursor, capping molecule and reducing agent during the Au nanoparticles formation.