Controlled synthesis and self-assembly of highly monodisperse Ag and Ag(2)S nanocrystals

A facile method to control the synthesis and self‐assembly of monodisperse Ag and Ag₂S nanocrystals with a narrow‐size distribution is described. Uniform Ag nanoparticles of less than 4 nm were obtained by thermolysis of Ag–oleate complexes in the presence of oleic acid and dodecylamine, and monodisperse Ag nanoparticles of less than 10 nm were also prepared in one step by using dodecylamine and oleic acid as capping agents. Moreover, the surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) properties of the Ag substrates have also been investigated. It is worth mentioning that these Ag nanoparticles and assemblies show great differences in the SERS activities of Rhodamine B dye. In addition, the superlattices of Ag₂S nanocrystals were synthesized with Ag–oleate complexes, alkanethiol, and sulfur as the reactants. The resulting highly monodisperse nanocrystals can easily self‐assemble into interesting superstructures in the solution phase without any additional assembly steps. This method may be extended to the size‐controlled preparation and assembly of many other noble‐metal and transition‐metal chalcogenide nanoparticles. These results will aid the study of the physicochemical properties of the superlattice assemblies and construction of functional macroscopic architectures or devices.     

Rapid synthesis of Au, Ag, and bimetallic Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles using Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth

We report on the use of Neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf broth in the extracellular synthesis of pure metallic silver and gold nanoparticles and bimetallic Au/Ag nanoparticles. On treatment of aqueous solutions of silver nitrate and chloroauric acid with Neem leaf extract, the rapid formation of stable silver and gold nanoparticles at high concentrations is observed to occur. The silver and gold nanoparticles are polydisperse, with a large percentage of gold particles exhibiting an interesting flat, platelike morphology. Competitive reduction of Au3+ and Ag+ ions present simultaneously in solution during exposure to Neem leaf extract leads to the synthesis of bimetallic Au core-Ag shell nanoparticles in solution. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the silver nanoparticles are adsorbed onto the gold nanoparticles, forming a core-shell structure. The rates of reduction of the metal ions by Neem leaf extract are much faster than those observed by us in our earlier studies using microorganisms such as fungi, highlighting the possibility that nanoparticle biological synthesis methodologies will achieve rates of synthesis comparable to those of chemical methods.     

Rapid Conversion of a Au9Ag12 into a AuxAg16-x Nanocluster via Bisphosphine Ligand Engineering

The [Au_xAg_16-x(SAdm)₈(Dppe)₂] nanocluster with aggregation-induced emission (AIE) was synthesized from a non-fluorescent [Au₉Ag₁₂(SAdm)₄(Dppm)₆Cl₆](SbF₆)₃ nanocluster via a ligand-exchange engineering (Dppe=1,2-Bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, Dppm=Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane, HSAdm=1-Adamantanethiol). The nanocluster has a Au-doped icosahedral Au_xAg_13-x core, capped by two Ag(SR)₃, one Ag(SR)₂ and two Dppe ligands. By changing the achiral Dppe ligand into a chiral dbpb ligand ((2S,3S)-(-)-Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane or (2R,3R)-(+)-2,3-Bis(diphenylphosphino)butane), chiral nanoclusters are obtained. ESI-MS and UV-vis spectroscopy were performed to track the reaction. This work provides guidance for the construction of new clusters by etching clusters with multidentate phosphine ligands.     

A new photothermal therapeutic agent: core-free nanostructured Au x Ag1-x dendrites

A new class of Au(x)Ag(1-x) nanostructures with dendrite morphology and a hollow interior were synthesized by using a replacement reaction between Ag dendrites and an aqueous solution of HAuCl(4). The Ag nanostructured dendrites were generated by the reaction of AgNO(3) with ascorbic acid in a methanol/water system. The dendrites resemble a coral shape and are built up of many stems with an asymmetric arrangement. Each stem is approximately 400 nm in length and 65 nm in diameter. The bimetallic composition of Au(x)Ag(1-x) can be tuned by the addition of different amounts of HAuCl(4) to the Ag dendritic solution. The hollowing process resulted in tubular structures with a wall thickness of 10.5 nm in Au(0.3)Ag(0.7) dendrites. The UV/Vis spectra indicate that the strongest NIR absorption among the resulting hollow Au(x)Ag(1-x) dendrites was in Au(0.3)Ag(0.7). The MTT assay was conducted to evaluate the cytotoxicity of Ag dendrites, hollow Au(0.06)Ag(0.94) and Au(0.3)Ag(0.7) dendrites, and Au nanorods. It was found that hollow Au(0.06)Ag(0.94) and Au(0.3)Ag(0.7) dendrites exhibited good biocompatibility, while both Ag dendrites and Au nanorods showed dose-dependent toxicity. Because of absorption in the NIR region, hollow Au(0.3)Ag(0.7) dendrites were used as photothermal absorbers for destroying A549 lung cancer cells. Their photothermal performance was compared to that of Au nanorod photothermal therapeutic agents. As a result, the particle concentration and laser power required for efficient cancer cell damage were significantly reduced for hollow Au(0.3)Ag(0.7) dendrites relative to those used for Au nanorods. The hollow Au(0.3)Ag(0.7) nanostructured dendrites show potential in photothermolysis for killing cancer cells.     

Solvent effect on the synthesis of monodisperse amine-capped Au nanoparticles

A remarkable solvent effect in a single-phase synthesis of monodisperse amine-capped Au nanoparticles is demonstrated.Oleylamine-capped Au nanoparticles were prepared via the reduction of HAuCU by an amine-borane complex in the presence of oleylamine in an organic solvent.When linear or planar hydrocarbon(e.g.,n-hexane,n-octane,1-octadecylene,benzene,and toluene) was used as the solvent, high-quality monodisperse Au nanoparticles with tunable sizes were obtained.However,Au nanoparticles with poor size dispersity were obtained when tetralin,chloroform or cyclohexane was used as the solvent.The revealed solvent effect allows the controlled synthesis of monodisperse Au nanoparticles with tunable size of 3-10 nm.     

Biogenic synthesis of Ag, Au and bimetallic Au/Ag alloy nanoparticles using aqueous extract of mahogany (Swietenia mahogani JACQ.) leaves

In this paper, we have demonstrated for the first time, the superb efficiency of aqueous extract of dried leaves of mahogany (Swietenia mahogani JACQ.) in the rapid synthesis of stable monometallic Au and Ag nanoparticles and also Au/Ag bimetallic alloy nanoparticles having spectacular morphologies. Our method was clean, nontoxic and environment friendly. When exposed to aqueous mahogany leaf extract, competitive reduction of Au(III) and Ag(I) ions present simultaneously in same solution leads to the production of bimetallic Au/Ag alloy nanoparticles. UV-visible spectroscopy was used to monitor the kinetics of nanoparticles formation. UV-visible spectroscopic data and TEM images revealed the formation of bimetallic Au/Ag alloy nanoparticles. Mahogany leaf extract contains various polyhydroxy limonoids which are responsible for the reduction of Au(III) and Ag(I) ions leading to the formation and stabilization of Au and Ag nanopaticles.     

Fullerene-like (IF) Nb(x)Mo(1-x)S2 nanoparticles

IF-Mo1-xNbxS2 nanoparticles have been synthesized by a vapor-phase reaction involving the respective metal halides with H2S. The IF-Mo1-xNbxS2 nanoparticles, containing up to 25% Nb, were characterized by a variety of experimental techniques. Analysis of the powder X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and different electron microscopy techniques shows that the majority of the Nb atoms are organized as nanosheets of NbS2 within the MoS2 host lattice. Most of the remaining Nb atoms (3%) are interspersed individually and randomly in the MoS2 host lattice. Very few Nb atoms, if any, are intercalated between the MoS2 layers. A sub-nanometer film of niobium oxide seems to encoat the majority of the nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy in the chemically resolved electrical measurement mode (CREM) and scanning probe microscopy measurements of individual nanoparticles show that the mixed IF nanoparticles are metallic independent of the substitution pattern of the Nb atoms in the lattice of MoS2 (whereas unsubstituted IF-MoS2 nanoparticles are semiconducting). Furthermore the IF-Mo1-xNbxS2 nanoparticles are found to exhibit interesting single electron tunneling effects at low temperatures.     

Shape-controlled synthesis of highly monodisperse and small size gold nanoparticles

We describe here that fine control of nanoparticle shape and size can be achieved by systematic varia-tion of experimental parameters in the seeded growth procedure in aqueous solution. Cubic and spherical gold nanoparticles are obtained respectively. In particularly, the Au cubes are highly mono-disperse in 33±2 nm diameter. The experimental methods involve the preparation of Au seed particles and the subsequent addition of an appropriate quantity of Au seed solution to the aqueous growth solutions containing desired quantities of CTAB and ascorbic acid (AA). Here, AA is a weak reducing agent and CTAB is not only a stable agent for nanoparticles but also an inductive agent for leading increase in the face of nanoparticle. Ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize the nanoparticles. The results show that the different size gold nanoparticles displayed high size homogenous distribution and formed mono-membrane at the air/solid interface.     

The first synthesis of Pb(1-x)Mn(x)Se nanocrystals

In this work, Mn-doped PbSe nanocrystals (NCs) have been, for the first time, prepared through a high-temperature organic solution approach. To ensure that all the Mn2+ ions are indeed incorporated into the NCs and not only physically presented at the surface, Mn-Se prebonded precursor was selected, and a ligand-exchange process was also conducted before and after the synthesis, respectively. Various analyses including EDS, ICP, XRD, SQUID, and EPR confirm that the Mn2+ ions have been successfully doped into PbSe NCs.     

InAs(x)Sb(1-x) alloy nanocrystals for use in the near infrared

InAs(x)Sb(1-x) alloy nanocrystals for the near-infrared, which have quite a monodisperse crystalline structure of 2.5-3.0 nm and are of a zinc blend structure, are developed.     

Synthesis of shape-controlled monodisperse wurtzite CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S2 semiconductor nanocrystals with tunable band gap

Monodisperse wurtzite CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2) nanocrystals have been synthesized over the entire composition range using a facile solution-based method. Depending on the chemical composition and synthesis conditions, the morphology of the nanocrystals can be controlled in the form of bullet-like, rod-like, and tadpole-like shapes. The band gap of the nanocrystals increases linearly with increasing Ga concentration, with band gap values for the end members being close to those observed in the bulk. Colloidal suspensions of the nanocrystals are attractive for use as inks for low-cost fabrication of thin film solar cells by spin or spray coating.     

Controlled synthesis of tuned bandgap nanodimensional alloys of PbS(x)Se(1-x)

Truly alloyed PbS(x)Se(1-x) (x = 0-1) nanocrystals (～5 nm in size) have been prepared, and their resulting optical properties are red-shifted systematically as the sulfur content of the materials increases. Their optical properties are discussed using a modified Vegard's approach and the bowing parameter for these nanoalloys is reported for the first time. The alloyed structure of the nanocrystals is supported by the energy-filtered transmission electron microscope images of the samples, which show a homogeneous distribution of sulfur and selenium within the nanocrystals. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies on ligand-exchanged nanocrystals confirmed the expected stoichiometry and various oxidized species.     

Alloyed Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanocrystals with highly narrow luminescence spectral width

High-quality alloyed Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanocrystals have been synthesized at high temperature by the reaction of a mixture of CdO- and ZnO-oleic acid complexes with sulfur in the noncoordinating solvent octadecene system. A series of monodisperse wurtzite Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S (x = 0.10, 0.25, 0.36, 0.53) nanocrystals were obtained with corresponding particle radii of 4.0, 3.2, 2.9, and 2.4 nm, respectively. With the increase of the Zn content, their photoluminescence (PL) spectra blue-shift systematically across the visible spectrum from 474 to 391 nm, indicating the formation of the alloyed nanocrystals. The alloy structure is also supported by the characteristic X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of these nanoalloys with different Zn mole fractions, in which their diffraction peaks systematically shift to larger angles as the Zn content increases. The lattice parameter c measured from XRD patterns decreases linearly with the increase of Zn content. This trend is consistent with Vegard's law, which further confirms the formation of homogeneous nanoalloys. These monodisperse wurtzite Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S nanoalloys possess superior optical properties with PL quantum yields of 25-50%, especially the extremely narrow room-temperature emission spectral width (full width at half-maximum, fwhm) of 14-18 nm. The obtained narrow spectral width stems from the uniform size and shape distribution, the high composition homogeneity, and the relatively large particle radius, which is close to or somewhat larger than the exciton Bohr radius. The process by which the initial structure with random spatial composition fluctuations turns into an alloy (solid solution) with homogeneous composition is clearly demonstrated by the temporal evolution of the PL spectra during the annealing progress.     

Facile preparation and characterization of highly antimicrobial colloid Ag or Au nanoparticles

A series of colloid silver or gold nanoparticles (AgNPs or AuNPs) were successfully prepared by in situ reduction and stabilization of hyperbranched poly(amidoamine) with terminal dimethylamine groups (HPAMAM-N(CH(3))(2)) in water, and they all exhibited highly antimicrobial activity. The particle size could be controlled easily by adjusting the molar ratio of N/Ag (or N/Au) in feed. When the molar ratio was 2, some aggregates of the nanoparticles separated from the colloidal solution, which showed some limited antimicrobial activity with the bacterial inhibition ratio of below 15%. As the molar ratio increased from 10 to 30, the average particle diameters decreased (from ca. 7.1 to 1.0 nm for AgNPs and from ca. 7.7 to 3.9 nm for AuNPs, respectively) and they all showed high dispersion stability and excellent antimicrobial efficiency. All the bacterial inhibition ratios reached up to ca. 98% at the low silver content of ca. 2.0 microg/mL or at the low gold content of ca. 2.8 microg/mL. The AgNPs or AuNPs with smaller particle size can provide much more effective contact surface with the bacteria, thus enhancing their antimicrobial efficiency. Besides, the cationic HPAMAM-N(CH(3))(2) can also do some contribution to the antimicrobial activity through the strong ionic interaction with the bacteria.     

Environmentally friendly synthesis of highly monodisperse biocompatible gold nanoparticles with urchin-like shape

We report a facile and environmentally friendly strategy for high-yield synthesis of highly monodisperse gold nanoparticles with urchin-like shape. A simple protein, gelatin, was first used for the control over shape and orientation of the gold nanoparticles. These nanoparticles, ready to use for biological systems, are promising in the optical imaging-based disease diagnostics and therapy because of their tunable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and excellent surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activity.     

Facile synthesis of Ag and Au nanoparticles utilizing chitosan as a mediator agent

We present here a facile route for the synthesis of crystal Ag and Au nanoparticles on the basis of chitosan as a mediator agent under quiescent conditions. The resulting Ag nanoparticles displayed controllable structural and optical properties depending on the experimental parameters. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) study combined with zeta potential measurement disclosed that the amino groups were bound to the particles, which was accountable for the stability of nanoparticles. The Ag and Au nanoparticles prepared in our present method is a promising candidate for applications in catalysis, antimicrobial and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.     

Characterization of Rh-Cr mixed-oxide nanoparticles dispersed on (Ga(1-x)Zn(x))(N(1-x)Ox) as a cocatalyst for visible-light-driven overall water splitting

The structure of Rh-Cr mixed-oxide (Rh(2)(-)(y)Cr(y)O(3)) nanoparticles dispersed on (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) is characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. The Rh(2)(-)(y)Cr(y)O(3) nanoparticle is an efficient cocatalyst for photocatalytic overall water splitting on the (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) solid solution and is loaded onto the catalyst by impregnation from an aqueous solution containing Na(3)RhCl(6).2H(2)O and Cr(NO(3))(3).9H(2)O followed by calcination in air. Impregnation of the (Ga(1)(-)(x)Zn(x))(N(1)(-)(x)O(x)) with 1 wt % Rh and 1.5 wt % Cr followed by calcination at 623 K for 1 h provides the highest photocatalytic activity. Structural analyses reveal that the activity of this photocatalyst is strongly dependent on the generation of trivalent Rh-Cr mixed-oxide nanoparticles with optimal composition and distribution.     

Large scale synthesis of stable tricolor Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core/multishell nanocrystals via a facile phosphine-free colloidal method

Here we report a new "green" method to synthesize Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se (x = 0-1) and stable red-green-blue tricolor Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core/shell nanocrystals using only low cost, phosphine-free and environmentally friendly reagents. The first excitonic absorption peak and photoluminescence (PL) position of the Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se nanocrystals (the value of x is in the range 0.005-0.2) can be fixed to any position in the range 456-540 nm. There is no red or blue shift in the entire reaction process. Three similar sizes of alloyed Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se nanocrystals with blue, green, and yellow emissions were successfully selected as cores to synthesize high quality blue, green, and red core/shell nanocrystal emitters. For the synthesis of core/shell nanocrystals with a high quantum yield (QY) and stability, the selection of shell materials has been proven to be very important. Therefore, alternative protocols have been used to optimize thick shell growth. ZnSe/ZnSe(x)S(1-x) and CdS/Zn(1-x)Cd(x)S have been found as an excellent middle multishell to overcoat between the alloyed Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core and ZnS outshell. The QYs of the as-synthesized core/shell alloyed Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se nanocrystals can reach 40-75%. The Cd content is reduced to less than 0.1% for Zn(1 -x)Cd(x)Se core/shell nanocrystals with emissions in the range 456-540 nm. More than 15 g of high quality Zn(1-x)Cd(x)Se core/shell nanocrystals were prepared successfully in a large scale, one-pot reaction. Importantly, the emissions of such thick multishell nanocrystals are not susceptible to ligand loss and stability in various physiological conditions.