Preparation, SERS and Catalytic Properties of Au Nano-network Based on Poly(conjugated linoleic acid)

Networked poly(conjugated linoleic acid) (PCLA) aggregates were prepared from a natural polymerizable monomer, conjugated linoleic acid(CLA), through a simple strategy of molecular self-assembly followed by controlled self-crosslinking. The morphology of the PCLA aggregates by transmission electron microscopy(TEM), was a unique network structure with the CLA spherical particles as the junction units that were originated from the CLA micelles. Subsequently, the Au nano-network with core of CLA micelle (20 nm) was synthesized in 2 d through in situ reduction of gold on the surface of the PCLA network. It was found that the Au nano-network based on PCLA could be obtained if and only if PCLA provided both functions of in situ reduction and model. Moreover, the Au nano-network based on PCLA displays better surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) for thiophenol and better catalytic effect on reduction of 4-nitrophenol than the normal spherical Au nanoparticles [(5 +/- 1) nm] does.