Gold Nanoparticles Stabilized by Molecular Fullerenols

Abstract Polyhydroxylated fullerene derivatives (fullerenols: C₆₀(OH)₁₂ and C₆₀(OH)₃₆) exhibit excellent stabilizing matrices for gold nanoparticles. Au:C₆₀(OH)₁₂ and Au:C₆₀(OH)₃₆ form hydrophilic colloids and are well dispersed in H₂O, even though C₆₀(OH)₁₂ itself is barely dissolved in H₂O. It was estimated that C₆₀(OH)₁₂ forms a two‐ to three‐layered structure with 3D O−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen‐bonding networks, surrounding approximately 3 nm‐sized Au NPs. The thus‐prepared Au:C₆₀(OH)_n colloids exhibited a high catalytic activity toward the reduction of 4‐nitrophenol to 4‐aminophenol. The short induction period as well as kinetic and thermodynamic parameters indicated the dynamic mobility of the fullerenol matrix and the hydrophobic nature of the interface between the Au surface and the matrix.