Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) stabilized with poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole) (PVT) have been synthesized via a one-pot manner in irradiated solutions of 1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole (VT) and Au(III) ions. The transmission electron microscopy examinations have shown that the sizes of nanoparticles formed range from 1 to 11 nm and are affected by the ratio of VT to gold ions. To study the kinetics peculiarities of the VT polymerization and assembling of AuNPs, UV-Vis spectroscopy was used. The analysis of the data obtained reveals that an inhibition period, influenced by Au(III) concentration, is followed by the polymerization of a monomer. Importantly, the absorbed doses, corresponding to the onset of rapid polymerization, correlate with the doses at which the accelerated formation of AuNPs begins. The kinetics aspects, which could lead to such an effect, are discussed.
Keywords: gold nanoparticles; kinetics of radiation-induced polymerization; metal–polymer nanocomposites; one-pot synthesis; poly(1-vinyl-1,2,4-triazole).