| Abstract: | Ligand‐layer structure and stability of gold nanoparticles (AuNP) coated with α‐methoxypoly(ethylene glycol)‐ω‐(11‐mercaptoundecanoate) (PEGMUA) layers and mixed layers of PEGMUA and 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) at high AuNP concentrations are studied in situ by small‐angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS). The thickness of the ligand layer is modified by the molecular weight of the PEG‐ligands (2 and 5 kDa), and the PEG‐grafting density is decreased by coadsorption of MUA. The response of the conjugates to a pressure of up to 4 kbar is probed. The results indicate strongly hydrated PEG layers at high grafting densities. The stability of the mixed ligand‐layer conjugates is lower. This is most probably due to enhanced interparticle PEG–PEG interactions at lower grafting densities. The presented study demonstrates that a detailed structural characterization of polymer ligand layers in situ and in response to external stimuli is possible with SAXS. |
