Facile synthesis of gold nanoflowers with high surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity

Highly branched gold nanoflowers are synthesized in high yield by a simple amino-reducing method, without additional seeds or surfactant agents. We present a systematic investigation of the influence of different parameters on the size, morphology, and monodispersity of gold nanoflowers. The initial concentration of reducing agent, the solvent viscosity, and the reaction temperature play critical roles in the formation of nanoparticles. A lower concentration of reducing agent causes larger particles with sharp and dendritic tips. Moreover, with increasing solvent viscosity, the obtained particles have more and larger tips. Examination of the nanoparticles at different reaction stages with transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis spectroscopy reveals the formation of the gold nanoflowers as a classical growth process in which diffusion-controlled growth gives rise to the highly branched structures. Additionally, these gold nanoflowers have prospects for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) imaging because of their strong SERS enhancement and clean surface.