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Naturally occurring gold nanoparticles and nanoplates

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Authors
Hough, R.
Noble, R.
Hitchen, G.
Hart, Robert
Reddy, Steven
Saunders, M.
Clode, P.
Vaughan, D.
Lowe, J.
Gray, D.
Anand, R.
Butt, C.
Verrall, M.
Date
2008
Type
Journal Article

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Citation
Hough, R. M. and Noble, R. R. P. and Hitchen, G. J. and Hart, R. and Reddy, S. M. and Saunders, M. and Clode, P. and Vaughan, D. and Lowe, J. and Gray, D. J. and Anand, R. R. and Butt, C. R. M. and Verrall, M.. 2008. Naturally occurring gold nanoparticles and nanoplates. Geology 36 (7): 571-574.
Source Title
Geology
DOI
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Faculty
Division of Resources and Environment
Division of Engineering, Science and Computing
Department of Applied Physics
Department of Exploration Geophysics
Faculty of Science
School
Department of Imaging and Applied Physics
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Abstract

During the weathering of gold deposits, exceptionally pure, <200 nm diameter, nanoparticulate gold plates (6 nm thick) are formed. The particles display controlled growth of both size and shape and signs of assembly to form belts and sheets. The gold is associated and intergrown with minerals formed by evaporation and is interpreted to have been deposited rapidly from saline groundwater during a drying event. The size and morphology of the gold nanoparticles and nanoplates are identical to the products of experimentally manufactured gold colloids. This represents the fi rst direct observation of colloidal nanoparticulate gold in nature, confi rming this as an active mechanism of gold transport during the weathering of gold deposits.