Green synthesis of gold nanoparticles using aspartame and their catalytic activity for p-nitrophenol reduction

We demonstrated a facile and environmental-friendly approach to form gold nanoparticles through the reduction of HAuCl 4 by aspartame. The single-crystalline structure was illustrated by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) results indicated that aspartame played a pivotal role in the reduction and stabilization of the gold crystals. The crystals were stabilized through the successive hydrogen-bonding network constructed between the water and aspartame molecules. Additionally, gold nanoparticles synthesized through aspartame were shown to have good catalytic activity for the reduction of p -nitrophenol to p -aminophenol in the presence of NaBH 4 .