# Six-panel figure: characterizing gold nanoparticles

> A complete characterization figure for citrate-capped gold nanoparticles: the synthesis, a TEM image, the size histogram, the UV–vis plasmon band, the powder XRD pattern and the hydrodynamic size from DLS. Every graph is editable with its own data sheet; replace the example data and the TEM stand-in with your own.

- Page: https://www.labcanvas.com/templates/multipanel/six-panel-figure-characterizing-gold-nanoparticles
- Open in the LabCanvas editor (LabCanvas account): https://www.labcanvas.com/editor.html?template=multipanel-gold-nanoparticle-characterization
- Updated: 2026-10-14
- Category: Multipanel figures
- Method: Worked examples
- Product: A 3 × 2 journal figure (a–f) for a nanoparticle paper or thesis chapter
- Key result: Example data computed from simple models (Lorentzian plasmon band, Gaussian XRD peaks at the fcc gold positions, log-normal DLS); TEM drawn
- Figure: 672 × 377.83 px, 116 editable layers (5 generated objects with settings)

## Steps

1. **a · Synthesis**: Citrate reduction of HAuCl₄ in boiling water (Turkevich 1951; Frens 1973)
2. **b · TEM**: Drawn stand-in with a 20 nm scale bar: drop your micrograph in its place
3. **c · Size**: Histogram of measured diameters (example: 15.2 ± 1.6 nm, n = 220)
4. **d · UV–vis**: The surface plasmon band near 520 nm for ~15 nm gold
5. **e · XRD**: fcc gold reflections (111), (200), (220), (311), (222) with Cu Kα
6. **f · DLS**: Hydrodynamic diameter, larger than the TEM core by the citrate shell and water

## Strengths

- A layout journals expect for new nanomaterials
- Graphs linked to their data

## Limitations

- Example values only: replace with measurements

## Uses

- Nanoparticle papers and theses
- Supporting information figures

## References

1. Turkevich, Stevenson & Hillier, “A study of the nucleation and growth processes in the synthesis of colloidal gold”, Discuss. Faraday Soc. 1951. https://doi.org/10.1039/DF9511100055 (method origin)
2. Frens, “Controlled nucleation for the regulation of the particle size in monodisperse gold suspensions”, Nature Phys. Sci. 1973. https://doi.org/10.1038/physci241020a0 (primary)
3. Rougier, Droettboom & Bourne, “Ten simple rules for better figures”, PLoS Comput. Biol. 2014. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003833 (review)

Credit: Example data generated for this template; micrographs are drawn stand-ins. Replace them with your own. Synthesis after Turkevich et al., Discuss. Faraday Soc. 1951 and Frens, Nature Phys. Sci. 1973.

## Questions

**What does the “Six-panel figure: characterizing gold nanoparticles” template show?** A complete characterization figure for citrate-capped gold nanoparticles: the synthesis, a TEM image, the size histogram, the UV–vis plasmon band, the powder XRD pattern and the hydrodynamic size from DLS. Every graph is editable with its own data sheet; replace the example data and the TEM stand-in with your own.

**What are the steps shown in “Six-panel figure: characterizing gold nanoparticles”?** 1. a · Synthesis: Citrate reduction of HAuCl₄ in boiling water (Turkevich 1951; Frens 1973). 2. b · TEM: Drawn stand-in with a 20 nm scale bar: drop your micrograph in its place. 3. c · Size: Histogram of measured diameters (example: 15.2 ± 1.6 nm, n = 220). 4. d · UV–vis: The surface plasmon band near 520 nm for ~15 nm gold. 5. e · XRD: fcc gold reflections (111), (200), (220), (311), (222) with Cu Kα. 6. f · DLS: Hydrodynamic diameter, larger than the TEM core by the citrate shell and water.

**Which papers is “Six-panel figure: characterizing gold nanoparticles” based on?** Turkevich, Stevenson & Hillier, “A study of the nucleation and growth processes in the synthesis of colloidal gold”, Discuss. Faraday Soc. 1951 (doi:10.1039/DF9511100055); Frens, “Controlled nucleation for the regulation of the particle size in monodisperse gold suspensions”, Nature Phys. Sci. 1973 (doi:10.1038/physci241020a0); Rougier, Droettboom & Bourne, “Ten simple rules for better figures”, PLoS Comput. Biol. 2014 (doi:10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003833).

**Can I edit the “Six-panel figure: characterizing gold nanoparticles” template?** Yes. Open it in the LabCanvas editor: all 116 layers are editable, including 5 generated objects (structures, plots, equipment) with their own settings. Change the text, colours and layout, then export PNG, TIFF, SVG or PDF.

**Do I need an account to use this template?** Not to view it here. To open and edit it, sign in to LabCanvas or create a free account (the free plan keeps up to 3 designs). Downloading the figure is part of LabCanvas Pro (US$19 a month or US$199 a year).