Gold Microstructures by Thermolysis of Gold(III) Di-isopropyldithiocarbamate Complexes

Elemental gold was formed by thermolysis of gold(III) dithiocarbamate single-source precursors, which exist as two complexes. The complexes were readily synthesised from the reaction between chloroauric acid and sodium di-isopropyldithiocarbamate and could be isolated from each other. The thermal decomposition processes were evaluated using thermogravimetry and electrical resistance measurements. The structure and purity of the resultant gold was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The resultant gold materials were drastically different and dependent on the thermolysed complex. The reaction between gold(III) chloride and sodium di-isopropyldithiocarbamate produces two compounds. Sub-micron sized gold microcrystals are produced when the complexes are thermally decomposed in the solid-state. The morphology of the resultant gold microcrystals is determined by the choice of complex. image