confirmed by UV–vis spectroscopic measurement of the reaction
mixture solution, which was performed on a Thermo Scientific Evolution
Array UV–visible spectrophotometer, employing a 1 cm quartz
cuvette with ultrapure water as the reference. The zeta potential
(ζ) measurements were carried out using a Zetasizer Nano ZS,
Malvern Instruments, at the temperature of 25 °C to investigate
the superficial charge. Fourier transform Raman (FT-Raman) spectroscopic
measurement was carried out to identify the potential functional groups
responsible for the reduction of gold ions and stabilization of the
synthesized GNPs, which was recorded on a FT-Raman MultiRAM spectrometer
(Bruker Optics). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis was
conducted using a Jeol JEM-100CX microscope operating at an accelerating
voltage of 80 kV to determine the morphology and dimension of GNPs.
The samples for TEM study were prepared onto a carbon-coated Cu grid,
which was allowed to dry under ambient conditions. To understand the
crystalline characteristics, X-ray powder diffraction data were recorded
at room temperature on an STADI-P powder diffractometer in transmission
geometry by using a Mo Kα1 (λ = 0.7093 Å)
wavelength selected using a curved Ge (111) crystal, with a tube voltage
of 50 kV and a current of 40 mA.