Synthesis of stable “gold nanoparticle–polymeric micelle” conjugates: A new class of star “molecular chimera” that self‐assemble into linear arrays of spherical micelles

Stable and aggregation‐free “gold nanoparticle–polymeric micelle” conjugates were prepared using a new and simple protocol enabled by the hydrogen bonding between surface‐capping ligands and polymeric micelles. Individual gold nanoparticles were initially capped using a phosphatidylthio–ethanol lipid and further conjugated with a star poly(styrene‐block‐glutamic acid) copolymer micelle using a one‐pot preparation method. The morphology and stability of these gold–polymer conjugates were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–vis spectroscopy. The self‐assembly of this class of polymer‐b‐polypeptide in aqueous an medium to form spherical micelles and further their intermicelle reorganization to form necklace‐like chains was also investigated. TEM and laser light scattering techniques were employed to study the morphology and size of these micelles. Polymeric micelles were formed with diameters in the range of 65–75 nm, and supermicellular patterns were observed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 3570–3579, 2007     

The Influence of the Capping Agent on the Oxidation of Silver Nanoparticles: Nano‐impacts versus Stripping Voltammetry

The influence of capping agents on the oxidation of silver nanoparticles was studied by using the electrochemical techniques of anodic stripping voltammetry and anodic particle coulometry (“nano‐impacts”). Five spherical silver nanoparticles each with a different capping agent (branched polyethylenimine (BPEI), citrate, lipoic acid, polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)) were used to perform comparative experiments. In all cases, regardless of the capping agent, complete oxidation of the single nanoparticles was seen in anodic particle coulometry. The successful quantitative detection of the silver nanoparticle size displays the potential application of anodic particle coulometry for nanoparticle characterisation. In contrast, for anodic stripping voltammetry using nanoparticles drop casting, it was observed that the capping agent has a very significant effect on the extent of silver oxidation. All five samples gave a low oxidative charge corresponding to partial oxidation. It is concluded that the use of anodic stripping voltammetry to quantify nanoparticles is unreliable, and this is attributed to nanoparticle aggregation.     

Structural and spectroscopic investigation of ZnS nanoparticles grown in quaternary reverse micelles

ZnS nanoparticles were synthesized in four component "water in oil" microemulsions formed by a cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB), a cosurfactant (pentanol or butanol), n-hexane and water. The effect of various parameters (nature of cosurfactant, water/surfactant W(0), and alcohol/surfactant P(0)) on the formation and stability of ZnS nanoparticles was investigated thoroughly. UV-Vis spectroscopy was employed to directly follow the formation of ZnS systems in the microemulsions. Thus, particle size was estimated from the position of the first excitonic transition by employing an approximate finite-depth equation and an empirical correlation, giving average diameters in the ranges 2.3-2.5 and 3.0-3.5nm, respectively. Stable ZnS nanoparticles were obtained by employing low water and high cosurfactant amounts. This suggests that at high concentration the cosurfactant molecules act as capping agents on the surface of the inverse micelles, while low water amounts are needful to obtain water droplets with a radius close to that of the interfacial film spontaneous curvature. HRTEM analysis showed that the samples are formed by a few crystalline ZnS nanoparticles of spherical shape, embedded in and amorphous organic matrix, with a coherent scattering domain between 2 and 4nm.     

稳定分散的纳米银溶胶的制备及其表征

Stable aqueous dispersive colloidal Ag nanoparticles were prepared by reducing silver nitrate with sodium borohydride in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid. The formation process of the Ag nanoparticles was investigated by UV-Visible spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the spherical and rodlike particles and aggregates are formed in the initial stage of the reaction， then the rodlike particles and aggregates are gradually decomposed into small spherical particles， and the final obtained Ag nanoparticles with an average size of 8 nm are in uniform shapes and narrow size distribution， and the colloid remains stable for more than one month， which makes it convenient for use in practice. The presence of capping agent plays an extra role over nanoparticles stabilization and morphology. The presence of capping agent on the surface of Ag nanoparticle is confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It is found that Ag nanoparticles are negatively charged in alkaline condition， whereas they are positively charged in acid condition. Electrosteric effect is responsible for their long-term stability.     

Hydrolytic degradation of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polycaprolactone worm micelles

Spherical micelles and nanoparticles made with degradable polymers have been of great interest for therapeutic application, but degradation-induced changes in a spherical morphology can be subtle and mechanism/kinetics appears poorly understood. Here, we report the first preparation of giant and flexible worm micelles self-assembled from degradable copolymer poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polycaprolactone. Such worm micelles spontaneously shorten to generate spherical micelles, triggered by polycaprolactone hydrolysis, with distinct mechanism and kinetics from that which occurs in bulk material.     

Effect of colloidal nanocatalysis on the metallic nanoparticle shape: the Suzuki reaction

Dominantly tetrahedral shaped poly(vinylpyrrolidone)-platinum (PVP-Pt) nanoparticles are shown to catalyze the Suzuki reaction between phenylboronic acid and iodobenzene but are not as active as the spherical palladium nanoparticles studied previously. The dominantly tetrahedral PVP-Pt nanoparticles (55 +/- 4% regular tetrahedral, 22 +/- 2% distorted tetrahedral, and 23 +/- 2% spherical nanoparticles) are synthesized by using the hydrogen reduction method. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results show that a transformation of shape from tetrahedral to spherical Pt nanoparticles takes place 3 h into the first cycle of the reaction. After the first cycle, the spherical nanoparticles have a similar size distribution to that of the tetrahedral nanoparticles before the reaction and the observed shape distribution is 18 +/-6% regular tetrahedral, 28 +/- 5% distorted tetrahedral, and 54 +/- 5% spherical nanoparticles. After the second cycle of the Suzuki reaction, the shape distribution is 13 +/- 5% regular tetrahedral, 24 +/- 5% distorted tetrahedral, and 63 +/- 7% spherical nanoparticles. After the second cycle, the transformed spherical nanoparticles continue to grow, and this could be due to the strong capping action of the higher molecular weight PVP (M(w) = 360 000), which makes the nanoparticles more resistant to aggregation and precipitation, unlike the Pd nanoparticles capped with the lower molecular weight PVP (M(w) = 40 000) used previously. The transformation in shape also occurs when the nanoparticles are refluxed in the presence of the solvent, sodium acetate, and iodobenzene and results in spherical nanoparticles with a similar size distribution to that of the tetrahedral nanoparticles before any perturbations. However, in the presence of phenylboronic acid, the regular tetrahedral nanoparticles remain dominant (51 +/- 6%) and maintain their size. These results support our previous studies in which we proposed that phenylboronic acid binds to the nanoparticle surface and thus acts as a capping agent for the particle and reacts with the iodobenzene. Recycling the nanoparticles results in a drastic reduction of the catalytic activity, and this must be due to the transformation of shape from the dominantly tetrahedral to the larger dominantly spherical nanoparticles. This also supports results in the literature that show that spherical platinum nanoparticles do not catalyze this reaction.     

Size control of spherical metallic nanocrystals

In this review, we show that the use of AOT reverse micelles favors the formation of spherical metallic nanomaterials, magnetic or not, such as cobalt and copper. The size is controlled by varying different parameters like the water content of the micelles, the intermicellar interactions, the capping with the AOT surfactant and the reducing agent concentration. As expected theoretically, the change in size of copper nanocrystals induces changes in their optical properties. By controlling both the size and the size distribution of cobalt nanocrystals, well-defined, two-dimensional superlattices can spontaneously form.     

Inorganic-organic hybrid nanoparticles from n-octyl triethoxy silane

Ormosil (organically modified silane) such as n-octyl triethoxy silane has been found to aggregate in the form of normal micelles as well as reverse micelles in which the triethoxy silane moeities are hydrolyzed to form a hydrated silica network while the n-octyl groups are held together through hydrophobic interaction. These nanoparticles are spherical in shape and are nearly monodispersed with an average diameter of below 100 nm. The nanoparticles originating from the micellar aggregate have an hydrophobic core with a layer of the hydrated silica network at the surface. The hydrophobic core can host hydrophobic molecules such as tetraphenyl porphyrin, which is leached out of the particles extremely slowly compared to that in Triton X-100 micelles. The nanoparticles originating from the reverse micelles have a hydrated silica network in the core surrounded by the hydrophobic n-octyl chains on the particle surface. The hydrophilic silica cores of these nanoparticles have been used to encapsulate horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and the enzyme shows its activity and follows Michaelis-Menten kinetics.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles Prepared with Honey: The Role of Carbohydrates

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized using honey at pH 5.0 and 10.0 using a rapid, low cost, and simple technique. The influence of the honey carbohydrates (glucose and fructose) in the synthesis was characterized. Moreover, the kinetic variables in the synthesis at room temperature and at pH 5.0 and 10.0 were analyzed by measuring surface plasmon resonance at 411?nm by absorption spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis, and differential thermal analysis were used to characterize the metal nanoparticles and the capping agents. The synthesized nanoparticles were obtained for the first time at pH 5.0. This fact allows evaluating the kinetics and reaction mechanism. The obtained nanoparticles were spherical, monodispersed, and smaller than 20?nm. The results show that glucose serves as a reducing and capping agent while fructose has a limited reducing effect.     

Specifics of the preparation of anisotropically shaped gold nanoparticles in triton X-100 reverse micelles

The influence of the form of micelles and reactant concentrations on the formation and growth of gold nanoparticles in reverse micelles based on Triton X-100 (polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether) was studied. It was shown that spherical nanoparticles of 3–4 nm in size are formed in the presence of sodium sulfite and ascorbic acid and particles of an extended shape are formed in the presence of ascorbic acid alone. It was found that the ultimate shape and size of the nanoparticles depend not only upon the form of micelles but also on the acid concentration, since the products of its oxidation can be selectively sorbed on the surface of the particles and act as additional shape modifiers.     

Morphology transformation of hybrid micelles self-assembled from rod-coil block copolymer and nanoparticles

Hybrid polymeric micelles self-assembled from a mixture containing poly(γ-benzyl-L-glutamate)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) (PBLG-b-PEG) block copolymer and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared. The effect of AuNPs on the self-assembly behavior of PBLG-b-PEG was studied both experimentally by transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and laser light scattering and computationally using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations. It was found that, the pure PBLG-b-PEG block copolymer self-assembles into long cylindrical micelles. By introducing AuNPs to the stock block copolymer solution, the formed aggregate morphology transforms to spherical micelles. The DPD simulation results well reproduced the morphological transformations observed in the experiments. And the simulation revealed that the main reason for the aggregate morphology transformation is the breakage of ordered packing of PBLG rods in micelle core by the added nanoparticles. Moreover, from the DPD simulations, the distribution information on nanoparticles was obtained. The nanoparticles were found to prefer to locate near the core/shell interface as well as in the core center of the micelles. The combination of experimental and simulation methods lead to a comprehensive understanding of such a complex self-assembly system.     

Effect of polar solvents on the optical properties of water-dispersible thiol-capped cobalt nanoparticles

We were able to stabilize cobalt nanoparticles dispersible in water by optimizing the synthetic procedure using small polar thiol containing compounds as the capping agents. The nanoparticles were found to be spherical. The optical properties of the cobalt nanoparticles were investigated by monitoring the changes in the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectrum in various polar solvents. The extent of solvent dependence of the SPR spectrum was found to be dependent on the nature of the capping agent, the size of the cobalt nanoparticles, as well as the nature of the solvent. The Drude model was applicable for the particles capped with mercaptopropionic acid, while the effect of variations in the free electron density in the particles at different solvents became predominant in the nanoparticles capped with mercaptoethanol. The absorption spectra of the Co nanoparticles were simulated with the help of the classical Mie theory, and the results supported the effect of free electron density due to different capping agents on the spectra of the particles.     

The Synthesis of Superparamagnetic Pt/Ni Nanohybrids in Direct Micelles of Cationic Surfactants

Pt/Ni nanohybrids were synthesized by the reduction of the corresponding salts with hydrazine hydrate in aqueous micellar 0.005, 0.02, and 0.15 M solutions of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. The size, shape, particle size distributions, and superparamagnetic properties of the nanohybrids were studied. The spherical and rod-like shapes of the nanoparticles obtained were discussed in terms of the dualistic model of surfactant micelle formation, according to which Ni²⁺ and hydrazine hydrate were solubilized inside hydrated micelles in water, in which molecules were linked by weak H-bonds with each other. Hydrated spherical and rod-like micelles played the role of templates in the synthesis of spherical and rod-like nanohybrids.     

微乳液体系中溶剂热合成Co纳米纤维

纳米材料的小尺寸及大的表面积使其在光学、电学、磁学以及化学性质上与体相材料具有显著的差异 ,从而在催化、电子、光学、磁性存储和超导等多方面具有很大的应用前景 [1] .目前 ,已经开发出许多制备纳米颗粒的技术 ,如溅射法、共沉淀法、溶胶 -凝胶法、水热法和微乳液法等 .其中利用微乳液等两亲分子有序组合体进行化学反应制备纳米材料是近十几年发展起来的新方法 ,该方法由于具有实验装置简单、易于操作和粒度可控等优点而引起人们的重视 [2 ] .微乳液是一种高度分散的间隔化液体 ,水 (或油 )相在表面活性剂 (助表面活性剂 )的作用下以…     

Dissipative particle dynamics simulation of gold nanoparticles stabilization by PEO–PPO–PEO block copolymer micelles

Dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) was used to simulate the formation and stabilization of gold nanoparticles in poly(ethylene oxide)–poly(propylene oxide)–poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO–PPO–PEO) block copolymer micelles. Primary gold clusters that were experimentally observed in the early stage of gold nanoparticle formation were modeled as gold bead in DPD simulation. It showed that gold beads were wrapped by the block copolymer and aggregated into spherical particles inside the micelles and forming stable Pluronic–gold colloids with two-layer structures. Increasing Pluronic concentration, molecular weight, and PPO block length led to the formation of more uniform and more stable gold nanoparticles. Density profiles of water beads suggested that the micelles, especially the hydrophobicity of the micellar cores, played an important role in stabilizing gold nanoparticles. Dynamic process indicated that the formation of gold nanoparticles was controlled by the competition between aggregation of primary gold clusters and the stabilization by micelles of block copolymers.. The DPD simulation results of gold–copolymer–water system agree well with previous experiments, while more structure information on microscopic level could be provided.     

Synthesis of spherical silver nanoparticles by digestive ripening, stabilization with various agents, and their 3-D and 2-D superlattice formation

Capped nanoparticles of silver were synthesized via the solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD) technique followed by a digestive ripening procedure producing gram quantities of monodisperse spherical nanoparticles. This shows for the first time that a digestive ripening protocol is possible for an element other than gold. The particle size and optical spectra were found to be dependent on the capping agent used. Particles capped with dodecane thiol had a mean diameter of 6.6+/-1 nm, while trioctyl phosphine capped particles were 6.0+/-2 nm determined via TEM microscopy. These particles were found to organize into two- and three-dimensional superlattices with a well defined geometry through self-assembly in a liquid solution, that was dictated by the ligand used resulting in a triangular or circular lattice.     

Low Temperature Synthesis of Mn3O4 Nanoparticles Using Starch as Capping Agent

In this communication, manganese oxide (Mn₃O₄) nanoparticles were prepared by a facile solution method using starch as capping agent. The nanoparticles were characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and AFM. The results showed that the Mn₃O₄ nanoparticles were single phase, spherical, and uniformly dispersive. The average particle size was evaluated to be approximately 35 nm.     

共同装载吴茱萸碱和Fe3O4纳米粒子的磁性药物载体的制备

以单甲醚-聚乙二醇-聚（丙交酯-乙交酯）（mPEG-PLGA）作为载体,采用溶液透析的方法共同装载抗癌药物吴茱萸碱和Fe₃O₄ 磁性纳米粒子. 通过透射电子显微镜、红外光谱、紫外-可见光谱及体外释放实验、普鲁士蓝染色、体外毒性实验和磁靶向研究,综合评价了磁性纳米药物载体的性能. 结果表明,磁性药物载体胶束分散性良好,粒径均一,有较高的载药量和包封率,能够实现药物缓释,具有磁靶向特性.     

Foam films in the presence of functionalized gold nanoparticles

Dry aqueous foams made of anionic surfactant (SDS) and spherical gold nanoparticles are studied by small angle X-ray scattering and by optical techniques. To obtain stable foams, the surfactant concentration is well above the critical micelle concentration. The specular reflectivity signal obtained on a very thin film (thickness 20 nm) shows that functionalized nanoparticles (17 nm typical size) are trapped within the film in the form of a single monolayer. In order to isolate the film behavior, investigations are made on a single film confined in a tube. The film thinning according to the ratio of functionalized nanoparticle and SDS micelles (1:1, 1:10, 1:100) is mainly governed by the structural arrangement of SDS micelles. In thick films, nanoparticles tend to form aggregates that disappear during drainage. In particular self-organization of nanoparticles (with different surface charge) inside the film is not detected.     

Effect of hydrophobicity inside PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymer micelles on the stabilization of gold nanoparticles: experiments

In this paper we present the effect of poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) block copolymer micelles and their hydrophobicity on the stabilization of gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles were prepared by a method developed by Sakai et al. (Sakai, T.; Alexandridis, P. Langmuir 2004, 20, 8426). An absorption centered at 300-400 nm in time-dependent UV spectra provided evidence that the very first step of the synthesis was to form primary gold clusters. Then the gold clusters grew in size and were stabilized by block copolymer micelles. The stabilization capacities of the micelles were modulated by tuning the block copolymer concentration and composition and by adding salts. With good stabilization, gold particles were spherical and uniform in size with a diameter of 5-10 nm. Otherwise they were aggregates with irregular shapes such as triangular, hexagonal, and rodlike. The presence of a small amount of NaF significantly increased the stabilization capacity of the micelles and consequently modified the quality of the gold particles. Using FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy, micellization of the block copolymers and hydrophobicity of the micelles were proven very important for the stabilization. A higher hydrophobicity of the micelle cores was expected to favor the entrapment of primary gold clusters and the stabilization of gold nanoparticles.