| abstract |
Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles can be prepared via a simple synthesis by using a hydrolysable gallotannin, such as tannic acid, to reduce a metal precursor compound and to act as a stabilizer for the resultant nanoparticles. By controlling the molar ratio of hydrolysable gallotannin to metal precursor and/or the initial pH of the reagents one can achieve control over the size and polydispersity of the resultant nanoparticles. In particular, the controlled addition of a metal precursor into a solution of the hydrolysable gallotannin, as described herein, can yield small nanoparticles, for example 1 nm to 40 nm diameter nanoparticles, with low polydispersity. The methods disclosed herein can be performed at room temperature. |