X-ray Energy Dependence of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized by X-ray Radiolysis-Induced Chemical Reaction Using Synchrotron Radiation

Abstract

This research explores the X-ray energy dependence of gold nanoparticles synthesized by X-ray radiolysis-induced chemical reaction in an electroplating solution containing gold trisodium disulphite, Na₃Au(SO₃)₂ with NH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ etc. A silicon substrate immersed in the solution was irradiated under the controlled conditions with fixed photon flux and variable radiation times, and X-ray energies ranging from 6 keV to 16 keV. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed that gold nanoparticles and its aggregates were synthesized and fixed on the silicon substrates. It is found and the particle size was dependent on the X-ray energy. An examination of the relationship between the observational results and the X-ray scattering cross section revealed that as the X-ray scattering cross section of gold increases, the size of the generated particles also increases. Our study is expected to elucidate the mechanisms governing nanoparticle generation and growth processes induced by X-ray radiolysis, and to enable the creation of nanoshell structures and their application in three-dimensional fabrication techniques for metal-polymer composite materials.