Imaging mass spectrometry of gold nanoparticles in a tissue section as an immunohistochemical staining mass probe

For analysis of low abundance peptides in a tissue section, immunohistochemical staining through antibody‐antigen interaction is a usual technique. The antibody is conjugated with a probe moiety that aids in highly sensitive detection. Gold nanoparticles, which show excellent chemical stability and variation of surface modifications, are expected to act as a sensitive mass probe to desorb gold ions (Au⁺, Au₂⁺, Au₃⁺) that are distinguishable from fragment ions from organic molecules. Here, green fluorescent proteins (GFP) in a tissue section of a transgenic zebrafish were detected by the gold mass probe conjugated with antibodies. Due to the efficient ionization and desorption of gold ions, imaging mass spectrometry of Au₂⁺ ions indicated the distribution of gold nanoparticles stained in a tissue section, and the mass signal distribution was consistent with the area where the GFP‐expressing cells were distributed. Conventional immunofluorescence techniques showed intense autofluorescence that come from intrinsic fluorophores in the tissue section. In contrast, the gold nanoparticles acted as an immunostaining mass probe that displayed significantly lower background signals.     

Synthesis of alginate stabilized gold nanoparticles by γ-irradiation with controllable size using different Au3+ concentration and seed particles enlargement

Gold nanoparticles with pre-selected size in the range 5–40 nm were synthesized by γ-irradiation of Au³⁺ solution containing natural polysaccharide alginate as a stabilizer. The gold nanoparticles with controllable size were prepared by two approaches: (i) varying the concentration of Au³⁺ from 0.25 to 1 mM and alginate from 0.25% to 1% (w/v) and (ii) enlargement of seed particles with double size from 20 to 40 nm at [Au³⁺]/[Au⁰]=6. The obtained gold nanoparticles were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicated that γ-irradiation method is suitable for production of gold nanoparticles with controllable size and high purity.     

Allylic isomerization of allylbenzene on nanosized gold particles

Nanosized gold particles immobilized on γ-Al₂O₃ exhibited catalytic activity in the allylic isomerization reaction of allylbenzene. As the size of gold nanoparticles was decreased from 40 to 2 nm, their specific activity per surface gold atom nonmonotonically increased from 0.5 to 110 (mol products) (mol Au_surface)^?1 h^?1. The particles greater than 40 nm were practically inactive.     

First‐principles calculation of OH−/OH adsorption on gold nanoparticles

The OH^? and OH adsorption structures on Au₅₅ and Au₁₃ nanoparticles surfaces are analyzed using density functional theory. The most stable OH^? adsorption site of Au₅₅ and Au₁₃ nanoparticles is found to be the vertex top site followed by the (111)‐(100) edge bridge site. On the contrary, the stability order of OH adsorption is opposite to that of OH^?. The adsorption of OH^? is calculated to be weaker than that of OH, which shows different charge transfer and interactions with gold surface. Coadsorption on nanoparticles is studied to find that multiple OH^? species prefer the most stable sites of single OH^? adsorption. The hydrogen bonding between adsorbed OH^? on gold surface is a key factor in stabilizing the adsorbates on the Au surface. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Synthesis of GoldMag particles with assembled structure and their applications in immunoassay

Micrometer-sized Fe3O4 particles and nano-sized gold particles were first synthesized by methods of self-aggregation of surface-chemically modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles and citrate reduction of the Au3 to Au0, respectively. Interaction between these two types of particles resulted in the assembly of nano-sized gold particles on the surface of the micrometer-sized Fe3O4 particles, forming an assembled structure with the Fe3O4 core particles around which are attached nano-sized gold parti- cles. The Fe3O4/Au structure is named GoldMag particles with assembled structure. The synthetic process, structure, and magnetic property of the GoldMag particles were analyzed. GoldMag particles with assembled structure have an irregular shape, rough surface with a diameter of 2―3 μm. These particles exhibit the superparamagnetic property with saturated magnetization of 41 A·m2/kg. In a single step, antibodies could be readily immobilized onto the surface of the particles with a high binding capacity. The GoldMag particles can be used as a novel carrier in immunoassays. The maximum quantity of human IgG immobilized onto GoldMag particles was 330 μg/mg. In order to validate the quality of the GoldMag particles as immunoassay carriers, an immunoassay system was used. The relative amount of immobilized human IgG was measured by HRP-labeled anti human IgG. The coefficient of variation within parallel samples of each group was below 6% and the coefficient of variation of means between five groups carried out separately was below 7%. Based on the sandwich method, the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) were also analyzed by qualitative and quantitative detection, respectively. The result indicated that the GoldMag particles with assembled structure were an ideal carrier in immunoassay.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">In situ</Emphasis> analysis of the formation steps of gold nanoparticles by oleylamine reduction

A colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles is synthesized with the use of sodium tetrachloroaurate(III) as a precursor, oleylamine as a reducer and surfactant, and 1-octadecene as a solvent. Reaction stages are analyzed in situ by optical (UV-vis) absorption spectroscopy with a simultaneous analysis of particle sizes by dynamic light scattering and X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy for the analysis of the gold oxidation state. After the synthesis the size of obtained nanoparticles is determined by transmission electron microscopy. The analysis of the obtained experimental data reveals the presence of three main steps in the reduction reaction mechanism, corresponding to Au³⁺, Au⁺, Au⁰, which enables the construction of the reaction model. The reaction mechanism involves the formation of gold(I) complexes with oleylamine, followed by polymerization and the formation of gold nanoclusters coated with oleylamine.     

Ascorbic acid supported Carboxymethyl cellulose stabilized silver nanoparticles as optical nanoprobe for Au3+ detection in environmental sample

Heavy metals (HMs), pollution of major environmental matrices and its attendant effects on human health and the environment, continue to generate huge scientific interest, particularly in monitoring and detection. Herein, the optical property of carboxymethyl cellulose stabilized silver nanoparticles (CMC-AgNPs), supported with ascorbic acid, is exploited as a colorimetric probe for the detection of toxic Au³⁺ ion in solution. The as-synthesized CMC-AgNPs showed sharp absorption maximum at 403 nm, with sparkling yellow color and average particles size distribution less than 10 nm. It was further characterized using ATR-FTIR, TEM, FESEM/EDS, XRD and DLS/zeta potential analyzer. Au³⁺ ion detection strategy involves the addition of ascorbic acid (AA) to a pH adjusted CMC-AgNPs, followed by the analyte addition. AA would facilitate the reduction of Au³⁺ on CMC-AgNPs (seed), with resultant color perturbations from light yellow to yellow, orange, ruby red and purple red, under 8 min incubation, at room temperature (RT). The CMC-AgNPs could also serve as a catalyst, by promoting AA mediated reduction of Au³⁺, in-situ. Moreover, we propose, that the color and the absorption spectra change is attributed to the deposition of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), on the CMC-AgNPs/AA probe, to form (CMC-Ag@Au) nanostructures, depending on the analyte concentration. Absorbance ratio (A₅₄₀/A₄₀₃) showed good linearity with Au³⁺ concentration from 0.25 to 100.0 µM, and an estimated LOD of 0.061 µM. The assay was applied to Au³⁺ detection in environmental wastewater sample, showing satisfactory real sample detection potentiality.     

Synthesis of gold nanoparticles by reduction of HAuCl4 under UV irradiation

Gold nanoparticles were prepared in surfactant solutions by reduction of HAuCl₄ under UV irradiation without adding extra reductants or other organic substances. The effect of the structure and the property of surfactant on the size and the optical properties of prepared gold nanoparticles were studied. It was found that the longer the alkyl chain of the surfactant, the larger gold particles are obtained. On the other hand, lengthen the geminis spacer benefits the formation of smaller gold particles. The formation of adduct micelles composed of the charged surface active portion of the surfactant molecule and the (Au^IIICl₄)⁻ ion in cationic surfactant solution serves as the gold source and favors the formation of gold particles with larger sizes. While the repulsion between the (Au^IIICl₄)⁻ ion and the negative charged surface of anionic surfactant micelle is in favor of the formation of gold nanoparticles with smaller sizes. The nonionic surfactants can also assist the formation of dispersed gold nanoparticles.     

Electrochemical Fabrication of Nanostructured Surfaces for Enhanced Response

The objective of this work is to explore approaches to enhance electrochemical signals through sequential deposition and capping of gold particles. Gold nanoparticles are electrodeposited from KAuCl₄ solution under potentiostatic conditions on glassy carbon substrates. The number density of the nanoparticles is increased by multiple deposition steps. To prevent secondary nucleation processes, the nanoparticles are isolated after each potentiostatic deposition step by self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs) of decanethiol or mercaptoethanol. The increasing number of particles during five deposition/protection rounds is monitored by assembling electroactive SAMs using a ferrocene‐labeled alkanethiol. A precise estimation of the surface area of the gold nanoparticles by formation of an oxide layer on gold is difficult due to oxidation of the glassy carbon surface. As an alternative approach, the charge flow of the electroactive SAM is used for surface measurement of the gold surface area. A sixfold increase in the redox signal in comparison to a bulk gold surface is observed, and this increase in redox signal is particularly notable given that the surface area of the deposited nanoparticles is only a fraction of the bulk gold surface. After five rounds of deposition there is a gold loading of 1.94 μg cm^?2 of the deposited nanoparticles as compared to 23.68 μg cm^?2 for the bulk gold surface. Remarkably, however, the surface coverage of the ferrocene alkanethiol on the bulk material is only 10 % of that achieved on the deposited nanoparticles. This enhancement in signal of the nanoparticle‐modified surface in comparison to bulk gold is thus demonstrated not to be attributable to an increase in surface area, but rather to the inherent properties of the surface atoms of the nanoparticles, which are more reactive than the surface atoms of the bulk material.     

Quantum chemical study of the charged gold atom influence on the mechanism of allylbenzene double bond migration

The DFT calculations of allylbenzene double bond migration were performed in the presence of gold ions Au^? and Au⁺ and the cluster Au₄, which are models of active sites of the gold-containing catalysts. The mechanism of isomerization is determined by the charge of the metal. For the allylbenzene + Au⁺ system, the most appropriate mechanism is the multistage metal-allylic process passing through either the formation of a gold-hydride complex, or no hydride complex is formed in the presence of Au^?. The calculated rate constant of the rate-determining step of the catalytic reaction increases in the order Au₀ < Au^? < Au⁺. The Au^??+ particles are active sites in allylbenzene isomerization. Additional routes of accumulation of the trans-isomer result in the selective formation of trans-??-methylstyrene observed in the catalytic conversion of allylbenzene in the presence of gold nanoparticles. The metal-allylic mechanism is the most preferential in the presence of Au₄ cluster. The high energy of the bond of allylbenzene with the cluster is possibly due to the high reactivity of the latter.     

Nanoceria Supported Gold Catalysts for CO Oxidation

Two types of CeO₂ nanocubes (average size of 5 and 20 nm, respectively) prepared via the hydrothermal process were selected to load gold species via a deposition‐precipitation (DP) method. Various measurements, including X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (in situ DRIFTS), and temperature‐programmed reduction by hydrogen (H₂‐TPR), were applied to characterize the catalysts. It is found that the sample with ceria size of 20 nm (Au/CeO₂‐20) was covered by well dispersed both Au³⁺ and Au^δ+ (0 < δ < 1). For the other sample with ceria size of 5 nm (Au/CeO₂‐5), Au³⁺ is the dominant gold species. Au/CeO₂‐20 performed better catalytic activity for CO oxidation because of the strong CO adsorption of Au^δ+ in the catalysts. The catalytic activity of Au/CeO₂‐5 was improved due to the transformation of Au³⁺ to Au^δ+. Based on the CO oxidation and in situ DRIFTS results, Au^δ+ is likely to play a more important role in catalyzing CO oxidation reaction.     

Electrochemical determination of homocysteine at a gold nanoparticle-modified electrode

The construction of a colloidal gold-cysteamine-carbon paste electrode, Au_coll-Cyst-CPE, for the electrochemical determination of homocysteine is reported. The improved voltammetric behaviour of homocysteine at Au_coll-Cyst-CPE with respect to that observed at a gold disk electrode is attributed to an enhanced electron transfer kinetics as a consequence of the array distribution of gold nanoparticles immobilized onto the Cyst SAM. Cyclic voltammtery of homocysteine showed an adsorption-controlled current for scan rates between 500 and 5000 mV s⁻¹. The hydrodynamic voltammogram constructed for homocysteine allowed the selection of a potential value of +600 mV, where the background current is negligible, for the amperometric detection of the analyte at the Au_coll-Cyst-CPE. Using a flow rate of 0.8 ml min⁻¹, the R.S.D. value for i_p after 25 repetitive injections of homocysteine was of 4.3%, and one single electrode could be used for more than 15 days without any treatment or regeneration procedure of the modified electrode surface. An HPLC method for the separation and quantification of homocysteine and related thiols, using amperometric detection at the modified electrode has been developed. A mobile phase consisting of 2:98% (v/v) acetonitrile:0.05 mol l⁻¹ buffer solution of pH 2.0, and a detection potential of +0.80 V were selected. Separation with baseline resolution and retention times of 3.00, 3.60, 4.52, 5.71 and 7.79 min were obtained for cysteine, homocysteine, glutathion, penicillamine and N-acetyl-cysteine, respectively. Calibration graphs were constructed for all the separated compounds. Detection limits ranged between 20 nM for cysteine and 120 nM for penilcillamine, with a value for homocysteine of 30 nM. These values compare advantageously with those achieved with previously reported HPLC methods using electrochemical, UV, fluorescence and MS detection modes. The developed method was applied to the determination of cysteine and homocysteine serum samples with good results.     

A Chemical Strategy for the Relaxivity Enhancement of GdIII Chelates Anchored on Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles

Functionalised MCM‐41 mesoporous silica nanoparticles were used as carriers of Gd^III complexes for the development of nanosized magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents. Three Gd^III complexes based on the 1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane scaffold (DOTA; monoamide‐, DOTA‐ and DO3A‐like complexes) with distinct structural and magnetic properties were anchored on the silica nanoparticles functionalised with NH₂ groups. The interaction between Gd^III chelates and surface functional groups markedly influenced the relaxometric properties of the hybrid materials, and were deeply modified passing from ionic ? NH₃⁺ to neutral amides. A complete study of the structural, textural and surface properties together with a full ¹H relaxometric characterisation of these hybrid materials before and after surface modification was carried out. Particularly for the anionic complex 2 attached to MCM‐41, an impressive increase in relaxivity (r_1p) was observed (from 20.3 to 37.8 mM ^?1 s^?1, 86.2 % enhancement at 20 MHz and 310 K), mainly due to a threefold faster water exchange rate after acetylation of the surface ? NH₃⁺ ions. This high r_1p value, coupled with the large molar amount of grafted 2 onto the silica nanoparticles gives rise to a value of relaxivity per particle of 29 500 mM ^?1 s^?1, which possibly allows it to be used in molecular imaging procedures. Smaller changes were observed for the hybrid materials based on neutral 1 and 3 complexes. In fact, whereas 1 shows a weak interaction with the surface and acetylation induced only some decrease of the local rotation, complex 3 appears to be involved in a strong interaction with surface silanols. This results in the displacement of a coordinated water molecule and in a decrease of the accessibility of the solvent to the metal centre, which is unaffected by the modification of ammonium ions to neutral amides.     

Photoelectrochemical studies on gold electrodes with surface oxide layers: Part I. Photocurrent measurement in the visible region

By illumination with visible light at wavelengths of 340–730 nm, anodic photocurrents were observed at a gold electrode in contact with a 0.2 M NaClO₄ aqueous solution (pH 6.0) in the potential range from +1.0 to +2.1 V vs. RHE. Based on the results of potentiodynamic and photocurrent measurements, the following three characteristic potential ranges have been distinguished: (1) +1.0–+1.4 V, where possibly low-coverage surface oxides (or chemisorbed OH) other than Au₂O₃ are present; (2) +1.5–+1.8V where the predominant surface oxide is Au₂O₃ up to ca. 1 nm in thickness; and (3) above +1.9 V, where a thicker surface layer, absorbing mainly in the UV wavelength range, is formed on the Au₂O₃ under-layer. The photocurrent quantum yield at the Au₂O₃ layer 0.3–0.8 nm thick was estimated to be on the order of 20% at 490 nm, assuming an absorption coefficient of 10⁵ cm^?1.     

Structural influence of transition metal (Sc,Y, and Lu) atoms inside gold nanoparticles

We theoretically investigated the influences of dopant transition metal atoms on structures and stability of gold nanoparticles. The optimized structures of Au₃M and Au₃M in an Au₃₂ cage (M = Au, Sc, Y, and Lu) obtained using relativistic density functional theory, show different configurations. Substitutions of one Au atom in the Au₄ cluster by only one M atom cause the Au₃M clusters to form equilateral triangles where M atoms prefer the central position, which is different from the original rhombus structure of a pure Au₄ cluster. All Au₃M nanoparticles, however, assume stable tetrahedral configurations in the Au₃₂ cage. Analysis of electronic structures indicates that the equilateral triangle Au₃M nanoparticles have higher chemical stability, in other words, lower reactivity than Au₃M@Au₃₂, while interaction energies between M and Au atoms in the Au₃M are smaller than those in Au₃M@Au₃₂. Different amounts of charge transfer and orbital hybridizations between the Au and M cause the change of the chemical stability and interaction energies. Our results indicate the potential manipulation of gold nanoparticle reactivity by metal substitution.     

Oxydation anodique de l'or: Partie III. étude de la formation du film d'oxyde par la méthode de chronoampérométrie à variation linéaire de potentiel

A mechanism for the electrochemical oxidation of gold is proposed. Some experimental results are interpreted in terms of an energetic heterogeneity of the metallic surface. The different stages leading to the formation of the oxide Au₂O₃·nH₂O both imply different oxidation states of gold and migration of Au³⁺ and OH^? or O^2? ions.     

A Renewable Potentiometric Immunosensor Based on Fe3O4 Nanoparticles Immobilized Anti‐IgG

A renewable potentiometric immunosensor for detection of immunoglobulin G (IgG) has been developed by magnetic force attraction of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles immobilized goat‐anti‐human IgG antibody. For preparing sensitive film of the sensor, cysteine was bonded on the nano‐Fe₃O₄ particles surface. The cysteine functionalized magnetic nanoparticles was attracted on a solid paraffin carbon paste electrode surface to covalently immobilize of anti‐immunoglobulin G (anti‐IgG) by employing a conventional glutaraldehyde‐crosslinking method. The immunosensor showed a specific response to human immunoglobulin G in the range of 0.1–1.2 ng/mL with a detection limit of 0.023 ng/mL. The immunosensor based on the magnetic nanoparticles was made easily by this method. It can be used expediently, renewed easily and low‐cost relatively. The renewable potentiometric immunosensor with better stability and higher sensitivity can be employed extensively in clinical diagnosis, monitoring of disease and environmental studies and etc.     

Characteristics of subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry of Pb and Cd at silver and gold electrodes

Silver and gold electrodes are useful for the quantitative determination of lead and cadmium with subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry (SASV). The use of SASV is essential for achieving good separation between the two peaks, to eliminate the interference of nitrates when cadmium is present and to allow analysis at very low concentrations without the removal of oxygen. The deposition and dissolution of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ proceed at underpotential (UPD) on both electrodes. The UPD properties of the deposits are the main factor determining the analytical characteristics of the ASV method and are strongly affected by the type and concentration of the electrolyte. The effects of anions (Cl⁻, Br⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻) and acids (HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄, HCl) are shown. The two electrodes complement each other and, in addition, enable the qualitative identification of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺, since the peaks appear in opposite order on the two electrodes. Analysis of mixtures of the two analytes is restricted on gold but not on silver. At gold the two peaks overlap: (i) at concentrations of cadmium higher than 250 nM at deposition times greater than 30 s, (ii) in the presence of copper at concentrations higher than 1 μM, and (iii) in the presence of Triton X-100 at concentrations above 10 mg/l. The repeatability at 10 nM analyte is better than 2.5%. The detection limits for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ at 120 s deposition time and 3500 rpm rotation rate are: dl_Pb/Ag=0.04 nM; dl_Cd/Ag=0.7 nM; dl_Pb/Au=0.1 nM; dl_Cd/Au=0.3 nM. The analysis of lead and cadmium in natural waters has been performed.     

磁性无机-生物复合粒子敏感膜新型电流型免疫传感器的研究

合成了磁性Fe3O4纳米粒子,利用3-氨基丙基三乙氧基硅烷(APS)进行硅烷化,形成表面带有氨基的磁性Fe3O4纳米复合粒子,再用戊二醛将羊抗人免疫球蛋白G抗体(anti-IgG)固定在该磁性粒子表面,通过磁力将其修饰于固体石蜡碳糊电极表面制作成免疫传感器。与标记HRP的二抗体anti-IgG结合,以对苯二酚作为电子媒介体,实现对人免疫球蛋白G(IgG)的定量检测。IgG测定线性范围为2.5~400μg/L,检出限为0.75μg/L。该免疫传感器制作简单,成本低,表面更新方便,可用于临床血清检测。