Surface modification of silica nanoparticles to reduce aggregation and nonspecific binding

In this article, a systematic study of the design and development of surface-modification schemes for silica nanoparticles is presented. The nanoparticle surface design involves an optimum balance of the use of inert and active surface functional groups to achieve minimal nanoparticle aggregation and reduce nanoparticle nonspecific binding. Silica nanoparticles were prepared in a water-in-oil microemulsion and subsequently surface modified via cohydrolysis with tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and various organosilane reagents. Nanoparticles with different functional groups, including carboxylate, amine, amine/phosphonate, poly(ethylene glycol), octadecyl, and carboxylate/octadecyl groups, were produced. Aggregation studies using SEM, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential analysis indicate that severe aggregation among amine-modified silica nanoparticles can be reduced by adding inert functional groups, such as methyl phosphonate, to the surface. To determine the effect of various surface-modification schemes on nanoparticle nonspecific binding, the interaction between functionalized silica nanoparticles and a DNA chip was also studied using confocal imaging/fluorescence microscopy. Dye-doped silica nanoparticles functionalized with octadecyl and carboxylate groups showed minimal nonspecific binding. Using these surface-modification schemes, fluorescent dye-doped silica nanoparticles can be more readily conjugated with biomolecules and used as highly fluorescent, sensitive, and reproducible labels in bioanalytical applications.     

超顺磁性DNA纳米富集器应用于痕量寡聚核苷酸的富集

随着纳米技术的迅速发展 ,纳米材料逐渐被应用到细胞生物学和分子生物学研究领域 ,为生物医学的研究和发展提供了新的技术和手段 [1～ 4 ] .如超顺磁性纳米颗粒由于具有尺寸小、比表面积大、悬浮稳定性好及在外磁场作用下的磁导向性运输和富集等优良特性 ,使其在细胞和生物活性     

四氧化三铁磁性纳米微粒表面的氨基化修饰

以3-氨丙基三乙氧基硅烷(APTES)作为氨基化试剂,通过硅烷化反应使其键合于Fe3O4纳米颗粒表面,制备了表面氨基化的磁性Fe3O4纳米复合颗粒;利用红外光谱分析了产物的化学键合特征,利用电位滴定测定了合成产物表面的-NH2含量,探讨了活化方式、反应溶剂、投料比、温度、时间等因素对氨基化修饰效果的影响.结果表明,APTES成功地包覆在磁性Fe3O4纳米微粒表面;在乙醇-水体系中,在Fe3O4与APTES投料比3∶8、温度60℃下反应12h,得到的Fe3O4纳米颗粒表面APTES修饰效果最佳,表面-NH2含量高达1 400±50μmol·g-1.     

Electrochemical and electrochemiluminescence study of Ru(bpy)(2+)3-doped silica nanoparticles with covalently grafted biomacromolecules

Spherical Ru(bpy)(2+)(3)-doped silica (RuSi) nanoparticles were prepared via a water-in-oil microemulsion approach. The electrochemical and electrochemiluminescent properties of the RuSi nanoparticles immobilized on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode were investigated. Further, electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of the RuSi nanoparticles with covalently coated biomacromolecules was studied. By covalent cross-linking with glutaraldehyde, gamma-(aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES)-pretreated RuSi nanoparticles were coupled with different concentrations of bovine serum albumin (BSA), hemoglobin, and myoglobin, respectively. ECL from these biomacromolecule-coated RuSi nanoparticles decreased with the increase of the loading of biomacromolecules. Moreover, the ECL of coreactants with different sizes was studied. The ECL decrease could be assigned to the steric hindrance and limited diffusion of coreactant molecules into the RuSi nanoparticles after biomacromolecule conjugation. Since tens of thousands of Ru(bpy)(2+)(3) molecules are contained in the silica particles and the RuSi nanoparticle surface modification could improve their biocompatibility, the biomacromolecule-coated RuSi nanoparticles could be readily used as efficient and stable ECL tag materials in the future.     

固定化金属离子亲和发光二氧化硅纳米粒子的制备及其用于磷酸化蛋白免疫印迹标记

发展了一种能够识别磷酸化蛋白的固定化金属离子亲和发光二氧化硅纳米粒子用于免疫印迹(Western Blot)磷酸化蛋白的标记。首先通过反相微乳液Stöber方法合成了掺杂异硫氰酸荧光素硅烷化衍生物的发光二氧化硅(FITC@SiO₂)球形纳米粒子,粒子平均粒径为60 nm。然后通过共聚反应在FITC@SiO₂纳米粒子表面生成一层聚合物用于保护纳米粒子,并引入N,N-(双羧甲基)-L-赖氨酸功能基团用于螯合金属离子,从而实现固定化金属离子亲和作用。以α-酪蛋白作为实验模型,用高效液相色谱-质谱研究了螯合不同金属离子的发光纳米粒子对磷酸化蛋白的识别作用。结果表明,螯合了Ti⁴⁺金属离子的发光二氧化硅FITC@SiO₂纳米粒子对α-酪蛋白酶解液中的磷酸化肽段的富集作用最强。利用这种发光二氧化硅FITC@SiO₂纳米粒子对磷酸化肽段的特异性识别性能,可用于Western Blot实验中标记磷酸化蛋白的条带。结果显示,α-酪蛋白的电泳条带可以被亲和发光二氧化硅FITC@SiO₂纳米粒子标记,而作为对照的牛血清白蛋白则没有被标记。     

Size-dependent shape evolution of silica nanoparticles into hollow structures

Hollow silica nanoparticles can be spontaneously generated without a template on the basis of the porous nature of silica and the high surface energy on the nanometer scale. We show that solid silica particles synthesized by the Stober and microemulsion methods initially develop small pores inside the nanoparticles under slightly basic conditions as a result of base-catalyzed etching. With further reaction, those small seed pores merge into a single void to reduce the surface energy of small pores, generating well-defined hollow nanoparticles. This behavior is unique to nanometer-sized porous materials, and the shape evolution is size-dependent, reinforcing the importance of evaluating the reactivity and structural changes of nanomaterials as well as their physical properties in different size ranges. The mechanism described here provides a simple way to generate uniform hollow nanoparticles of porous materials.     

Poly(ethyleneimine) as reducing and stabilizing agent for the formation of gold nanoparticles in w/o microemulsions

This paper is focused on the use of branched poly(ethyleneimine) (PEI) as reducing as well as stabilizing agent for the formation of gold nanoparticles in different media. The process of nanoparticle formation was investigated, in the absence of any other reducing agents, in microemulsion template phase in comparison to the nucleation process in aqueous polymer solution.

On the one hand, it was shown that the polyelectrolyte can be used for the controlled single-step synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles via a nucleation reaction and particles with an average diameter of 7.1 nm can be produced.

On the other hand, it was demonstrated that the polymer can also act as reducing and stabilizing agent in much more complex systems, i.e. in water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion droplets. The reverse microemulsion droplets of the quaternary system sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS)/toluene–pentanol (1:1)/water were successfully used for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles. The polymer, incorporated in the droplets, exhibits reducing properties, adsorbs on the surface of the nanoparticles and prevents their aggregation. Consequently, nanoparticles of 8.6 nm can be redispersed after solvent evaporation without a change of their size.

Nevertheless, the polymer acts already as a “template” during the formation of the nanoparticles in water and in microemulsion, so that an additional template effect of the microemulsion is not observed.

The particle formation for both methods is checked by means of UV–vis spectroscopy and the particle size and size distribution are investigated via dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).     

Synthesis of aqueous CdTe quantum dots embedded silica nanoparticles and their applications as fluorescence probes

This paper presents the synthesis of aqueous CdTe QDs embedded silica nanoparticles by reverse microemulsion method and their applications as fluorescence probes in bioassay and cell imaging. With the aim of embedding more CdTe QDs in silica spheres, we use poly(dimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride) to balance the electrostatic repulsion between CdTe QDs and silica intermediates. By modifying the surface of CdTe/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles with amino and methylphosphonate groups, biologically functionalized and monodisperse CdTe/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles can be obtained. In this work, CdTe/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles are conjugated with biotin-labeled mouse IgG via covalent binding. The biotin-labeled mouse IgG on the CdTe/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles surface can recognize FITC-labeled avidin and avidin on the surface of polystyrene microspheres by protein-protein binding. Finally, the CdTe/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles with secondary antibody are used to label the MG63 osteosarcoma cell with primary antibody successfully, which demonstrates that the application of CdTe/SiO₂ composite nanoparticles as fluorescent probes in bioassay and fluorescence imaging is feasible.     

Multifunctional particles: Magnetic nanocrystals and gold nanorods coated with fluorescent dye-doped silica shells

Multifunctional colloidal core-shell nanoparticles of magnetic nanocrystals (of iron oxide or FePt) or gold nanorods encapsulated in silica shells doped with the fluorescent dye, Tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) hexahydrate (Rubpy) were synthesized. The as-prepared magnetic nanocrystals are initially hydrophobic and were coated with silica using a microemulsion approach, while the as-prepared gold nanorods are hydrophilic and were coated with silica using a Stöber type of process. Each approach yielded monodisperse nanoparticles with uniform fluorescent dye-doped silica shells. These colloidal heterostructures have the potential to be used as dual-purpose tags—exhibiting a fluorescent signal that could be combined with either dark-field optical contrast (in the case of the gold nanorods), or enhanced contrast in magnetic resonance images (in the case of magnetic nanocrystal cores). The optical and magnetic properties of the fluorescent silica-coated gold nanorods and magnetic nanocrystals are reported.     

Nanostructures of functionalized gold nanoparticles prepared by particle lithography with organosilanes

Periodic arrays of organosilane nanostructures were prepared with particle lithography to define sites for selective adsorption of functionalized gold nanoparticles. Essentially, the approach for nanoparticle lithography consists of procedures with two masks. First, latex mesospheres were used as a surface mask for deposition of an organosilane vapor, to produce an array of holes within a covalently bonded, organic thin film. The latex particles were readily removed with solvent rinses to expose discrete patterns of nanosized holes of uncovered substrate. The nanostructured film of organosilanes was then used as a surface mask for a second patterning step, with immersion in a solution of functionalized nanoparticles. Patterned substrates were fully submerged in a solution of surface-active gold nanoparticles coated with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane. Regularly shaped, nanoscopic areas of bare substrate produced by removal of the latex mask provided sites to bind silanol-terminated gold nanoparticles, and the methyl-terminated areas of the organosilane film served as an effective resist, preventing nonspecific adsorption on masked areas. Characterizations with atomic force microscopy demonstrate the steps for lithography with organosilanes and functionalized nanoparticles. Patterning was accomplished for both silicon and glass substrates, to generate nanostructures with periodicities of 200-300 nm that match the diameters of the latex mesospheres of the surface masks. Nanoparticles were shown to bind selectively to uncovered, exposed areas of the substrate and did not attach to the methyl-terminal groups of the organosilane mask. Billions of well-defined nanostructures of nanoparticles can be generated using this high-throughput approach of particle lithography, with exquisite control of surface density and periodicity at the nanoscale.     

Preparation of highly fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles for analytes-enrichment and subsequent biodetection

Bifunctional nanoparticles with highly fluorescence and decent magnetic properties have been widely used in biomedical application. In this study, highly fluorescent magnetic nanoparticles (FMNPs) with uniform size of ca. 40 nm are prepared by encapsulation of both magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and shell/core quantum dots (QDs) with well-designed shell structure/compositions into silica matrix via a one-pot reverse microemulsion approach. The spectral analysis shows that the FMNPs hold high fluorescent quantum yield (QY). The QYs and saturation magnetization of the FMNPs can be regulated by varying the ratio of the encapsulated QDs to MNPs. Moreover, the surface of the FMNPs can be modified to offer chemical groups for antibody conjugation for following use in target-enrichment and subsequent fluorescent detection. The in vitro immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometric analysis indicate that the bifunctional FMNPs-antibody bioconjugates are capable of target-enrichment, magnetic separation and can also be used as alternative fluorescent probes on flow cytometry for biodetection.     

中性红掺杂SiO2纳米粒子修饰的酶阵列传感器同时测定葡萄糖、乳酸和L-谷氨酸的研究

本文以中性红为核，二氧化硅为壳，利用反相微乳液技术，通过正硅酸四乙酯的水解制备了掺杂有中性红的二氧化硅纳米粒子，并用TEM技术进行了表征。核中性红能够催化测定葡萄糖，乳酸和L-谷氨酸的反应，而壳二氧化硅不仅克服了电活性物质中性红易流失的缺点，且具有高的生物亲和性。分别与葡萄糖氧化酶、乳酸氧化酶以及L-谷氨酸氧化酶混合后，修饰在碳阵列电极表面。最后在该酶阵列电极表面滴加一层Nafion, 防止电活性物质抗坏血酸、尿酸等的干扰。该酶阵列传感器与流动注射分析技术(FIA)相结合，可应用于同时检测大鼠血样中的葡萄糖，乳酸和L-谷氨酸浓度。该方法无需通过传统的色谱柱的分离，大大简化了实验条件，为这一领域的研究提供了有效的分析方法。     

Changes of methylated silica surfaces on ageing

Silica rendered hydrophobic by organosilanes is a widely used model material in colloid chemistry, biological research, catalysis, etc. However, it is often overlooked that the surface properties of silica, and silica made hydrophobic be reacting with silane, change with time when the substrate is immersed in aqueous solution. Therefore the experimental conditions when such model systems are employed have to be carefully assessed. This paper summarizes the findings of the force measurement tests between air bubbles and silica particles hydrophobized with organosilanes such as trimethylchlorosilane and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexamethyl-disilazane. The results showed that the attractive forces as well as the adhesion between the air bubbles and silica particles decrease with the time of aging in aqueous solution. The silica surfaces rendered hydrophobic with organosilanes become hydrophilic with time due to hydration. The hydrophobicity could be restored by heating the samples at 190?^○C. The atomic force microscopy imaging on silica plates revealed that in addition to hydration, decomposition of the organosilane layer also takes place.     

Preparation of novel fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers/silica hybrid nanoparticles-encapsulation of a variety of guest molecules into fluorinated nanoparticles

Fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers reacted with tetraethoxysilane and silica/nanoparticles under alkaline conditions to afford fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers/silica nanoparticles (mean diameters: 31–54 nm) with a good dispersibility and stability in organic media. Interestingly, the isolated fluorinated particle powders were found to afford nanometer size-controlled colloidal particles with a good redispersibility and stability in these media. In addition, fluoroalkyl end-capped oligomers/silica nanoparticles-encapsulated guest molecules such as stable organic radicals and ionic liquids were prepared under similar conditions. These fluorinated nanoparticles-encapsulated guest molecules were applied to a new type of surface-modification agent, and these particles were able to disperse well above the poly (methyl methacrylate) films.     

Eu3+,Tb3+掺杂荧光二氧化硅纳米粒子的合成及其结构、成分和荧光性质的调控

针对目前存在的稀土螯合物掺杂量低、发射吸收波长受到限制等问题,首先用设计好的敏化剂-配体-硅烷偶联剂来螯合稀土离子得到稀土螯合物,然后在反相微乳液中将上述稀土螯合物与正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)共同水解缩聚,合成了稀土掺杂的二氧化硅纳米粒子。通过这种方法,不仅实现了对FSNPs粒径、成分、发射波长的调控,还通过使用不同生色团和稀土离子,获得了对激发波长的调控能力。此外,进一步阐述了稀土掺杂FSNPs中的能量转移过程,提出了一种通过能级调节FSNPs荧光的新方法。     

Optimization of dye-doped silica nanoparticles prepared using a reverse microemulsion method

Fluorescent labeling based on silica nanoparticles facilitates unique applications in bioanalysis and bioseparation. Dye-doped silica nanoparticles have significant advantages over single-dye labeling in signal amplification, photostability and surface modification for various biological applications. We have studied the formation of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)dichlororuthenium(II) (Ru(bpy)) dye-doped silica nanoparticles by ammonia-catalyzed hydrolysis of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) in water-in-oil microemulsion. The fluorescence spectra, particle size, and size distribution of Ru(bpy) dye-doped silica nanoparticles were examined as a function of reactant concentrations (TEOS and ammonium hydroxide), nature of surfactant molecules, and molar ratios of water to surfactant (R) and cosurfactant to surfactant (p). The particle size and fluorescence spectra were dependent upon the type of microemulsion system chosen. The particle size was found to decrease with an increase in concentration of ammonium hydroxide and increase in water to surfactant molar ratio (R) and cosurfactant to surfactant molar ratio (p). This optimization study of the preparation of dye-doped silica nanoparticles provides a fundamental knowledge of the synthesis and optical properties of Ru(bpy) dye-doped silica nanoparticles. With this information, these nanoparticles can be easily manipulated, with regard to particle size and size distribution, and bioconjugated as needed for bioanalysis and bioseparation applications.     

Coating noble metal nanocrystals (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt) on polystyrene spheres via ultrasound irradiation

The method of ultrasound irradiation is used for anchoring metallic nanocrystals (Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt) onto the surface of polystyrene spheres. In former studies, almost all the sonochemically prepared, coated metallic nanomaterials were formed as amorphous nanoparticles (Pol, V. G.; et al. Langmuir 2002, 18, 3352; Pol, V. G.; et al. Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 1111; Zhong, Z. Y.; et al. Chem. Mater. 1999, 11 (9), 2350; Pol, V. G.; et al. Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 1378), which were coated on various substrates (silica spheres, carbon spherules, titania, and alumina). On the other hand, the noble metal nanoparticles deposited on polystyrene spheres via ultrasound irradiation yielded nanocrystalline Ag, Au, Pd, and Pt particles on the surface of polystyrene as as-synthesized materials. The sonochemical mechanism is proposed based on chemical interactions between the particles.     

Synthesis and characterization of positively charged,alumina‐coated silica/polystyrene hybrid nanoparticles via pickering miniemulsion polymerization

Positively charged, raspberry‐like hybrid nanoparticles, consisting of a polystyrene core and an alumina‐coated silica shell were successfully prepared in a surfactant free system via the radical copolymerization of styrene (St) and different comonomers (acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and acrylamide) by using a cationic silica sol as the sole emulsifier in Pickering miniemulsion polymerization. The influence of different parameters like pH of the dispersion, comonomer content, and the amount and size of silica nanoparticles on the colloidal stability of the systems, prepared with different comonomers, was examined. The particles' morphology was observed via high‐resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The removal of free silica particles via centrifugation was proved by TEM and SEM, and the content of free and adsorbed silica was quantified via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of novel magnetic nanoparticles with urea or urethane moieties: Applications as catalysts in the Strecker synthesis of α‐aminonitriles

Four novel magnetic nanoparticle catalysts with urea or urethane moieties are reported. The silica‐coated magnetic nanoparticles were simply functionalized via addition of 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propylisocyanate (TESPIC), amine or amino alcohol. TESPIC with dual labile functional groups was used as a suitable precursor for the synthesis of urethane‐based catalysts. The newly synthesized catalysts were fully characterized using a variety of techniques. These functionalized magnetic nanoparticles were used as reusable catalysts in the Strecker synthesis of α‐aminonitrile derivatives under solvent‐free conditions at 50 °C.     

A fluorescence ratiometric nano-pH sensor based on dual-fluorophore-doped silica nanoparticles

We have synthesized dual-fluorophore-doped core-shell silica nanoparticles used as ratiometric pH sensor. The nanoparticles were prepared with a reverse microemulsion technique by simultaneously encapsulating two different fluorophores, the pH-sensitive dye fluorescein as a pH indicator and the pH-insensitive dye phenosafranine as an internal reference for fluorescence ratiometric measurement, into silica shell. The nanoparticles prevent the fluorescence dyes leaching from the silica matrix when immersed inside water. The hydrophilic silica shells were made by hydrolysing and polymerizing tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in water-in-oil microemulsion. The fluorescence intensity ratio of the two dyes varied linearly as a function of pH in the range from 4.0 to 8.0. The sensor was also applied to measure pH of real water samples. The results are in good agreements with that using the conventional glass electrode method. The as-prepared fluorescent nanoparticles showed rapid response, excellent stability and high reproducibility as pH sensors.