Data from: Modified HEPES one-pot synthetic strategy for gold nanostars

Gold nanostars are being utilized more regularly in the biosensing field.
Despite their useful attributes, there is still a need to optimize aspects
of the synthesis and stability. The seedless, synthetic method comprised
of 4-(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-piperazineethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) is a facile,
rapid method, however, produces heteromorphic nanostars. The modification
of a HEPES method resulted in a silver-assisted, seedless gold nanostar
synthesis method. The nanostars resulting from this method were
monodispersed, multi-branched and approximately 37nm + 2nm in diameter. It
proved to be a repeatable method that produced homogenous and robust
nanostars. Once functionalized with polyvinylpyrrolidone 10 000, the new
nanostars were observed to be stable in various environments such as salt,
ionic strength and cell culture medium. In conclusion, the addition of the
silver nitrate improved the morphology of the reported HEPES nanostars for
the purpose of nanobiosensor development.