Tuning the Surface Density of Thiols on Gold Surface via Free-Energy Landscapes to Direct Micelle-Mediated Gold Nanocrystal Growth
Abstract
corresponding to a free energy of -5.8 kcal/mol. This optimal condition balances interfacial stabilization and steric effects, thereby facilitating efficient nucleation at the functionalized interface. Structural analyses revealed that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide/oleylamine (CTAB/OLA) micelles deform and reorganize near the surface to promote favorable gold-thiol interactions. This study provides molecular-level insights into the influence of thiol surface density on interfacial energetics, thereby offering design guidelines for optimizing functionalized surfaces for energy applications, sensors, and catalysis.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures
Electrocatalysts for Energy Conversion
Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Synthesis and Applications
Publication details
- Journal / source
- The Journal of Physical Chemistry B
- Publisher
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Volume
- 130
- Issue
- 23
- Pages
- 5902–5912
- Publication date
- 27 May 2026
- Language
- EN