A new one-phase synthesis of thiol-functionalized platinum nanoparticles is presented. Using tetrahydrofuran as the solvent and lithium triethylborohydride (“superhydride”) as the reducing agent, platinum nanoparticles functionalized by octadecanethiol were prepared. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), tunneling electron microscopy (TEM), and powder X-ray diffraction were used to analyze the nanoparticles. The results show that the nanoparticles are single crystals with fcc structure, that their average size is ∼3 nm, and that the octadecyl chains are close packed in a solid-like assembly.

Bis-benzamidines were studied as linkers for the formation of gold nanoparticle assemblies on planar gold surfaces modified with ω-mercaptohexadecanoic acid. In situ ellipsometry, external reflection Fourier transform spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy showed that the packing density and order of the bis-benzamidine layer exerted a pronounced influence on the thickness and density of the nanoparticle layers. These layers exhibited optical properties similar to those of solid gold.