Electrochemical Growth of Sponge/Raspberry-Like Gold Nanoclusters at the Carbon Rod

Abstract

For the first time, the positive carbon rod of zinc-carbon battery (battery carbon rod electrode, BCRE) was used as a new working electrode and its electrochemical behavior was compared with carbon paste and glassy carbon electrodes in KCl solution containing Fe(CN₆)^3–/4– ions as probe agent. Then, the sponge/raspberry-like Au nanoclusters (AuNCs) were synthesized on BCRE by one-step electrodeposition of HAuCl₄ in phosphate and nitrate buffer solution and the electrochemical properties of surfaces was investigated in probe media and sulfuric acid. This fabrication method was simple, facile and controllable, without any seed, template or surfactant.