Session: Basic Research in Colloids, Surfactants and Interfaces:

Essential to the success of AuNP-based catalytic systems is the effective modification to enhance their catalytically active sites, long-term stability, and applicability in green reaction environments. A major concern in various synthetic strategies employed in designing AuNPs is the inevitable use of stabilizing or capping agents to prevent their aggregation in solution. The presence of these stabilizing agents around the AuNPs can often block and minimize the active sites of AuNP surfaces, which can adversely turn down their activity. In this study, we prepared physically incorporated AuNPs s within poly (N- isopropylacrylamide) particles via a light-induced reduction method in situ. The polymer particles did not possess any functional groups to induce strong interactions, but still provided a greatly improved stability to the embedded AuNPs, which resulted in reactive catalysts in homocoupling reactions in pure alcohol and alcohol-rich aqueous solvents under ambient aerobic conditions. Investigating these types of materials and reaction conditions can lead to the development of robust and versatile catalytic systems.

Mr. Franklin O Egemole

Graduate Student, Illinois State University

Appearances