Freezing-induced loading of Au nanoparticles into halloysite nanotubes

Abstract

Abstract Au nanoparticles were loaded into halloysite nanotubes by freezing-induced loading method. The loading efficiency and Au nanoparticle distribution were studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy and compared to those of vacuum impregnation and adsorption from solution loading methods. The freezing-induced loading was found to be the most effective with the loading efficiency up to 85% after 5 loading cycles and the best Au nanoparticle distribution into halloysite nanotubes.