Mapping the nanoparticle-coating monolayer with NMR pseudocontact shifts

Lanthanide ions Yb(3+) and Tb(3+), once bound to the monolayer of organic molecules coating the surface of gold nanoparticles, induce pseudo-contact shifts on the signals of nearby nuclear spins. This not only allows the investigation of the average structure of the ligands in the monolayer but also the mapping of the position of organic molecules bound to it.     

Vast magnetic monolayer film with surfactant-stabilized Fe3O4 nanoparticles using Langmuir-Blodgett technique

Although several methods (e.g., self-assembly, spin coating, etc.) have been explored for making a monolayer film of nanoparticles, the monolayer on a substrate is typically smaller than 1 micromx1 microm in certain regions. The approach is not ideally suitable for generating a highly ordered and close-packed homogeneous vast monolayer of nanoparticles, which is potentially important for applications. In this report, the preparation of the vast monolayer films of Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a wide range such as that over 3.25 micromx3.95 microm is reported. Their TEM images showed a two-dimensional assembly of Fe3O4 nanoparticles, demonstrating the uniformity of these nanoparticles. The formation of a Langmuir monolayer of the oleic acid-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles mixed with stearic acid molecules at the air/water interface and its stability were studied with a pressure-area isotherm curve. TEM and BAM studies demonstrated that increasing surface pressure resulted in a transition from well-separated domains of nanoparticles complex to well-compressed, monoparticulate layers.     

不同受限状态下链硫醇的非线性光学响应

以和频(SFG)振动光谱技术探测了正十二硫醇(DDT)在不同受限状态下的分子振动信号,包括金属基底上的自组装单层(SAM)分子,放置在二氧化硅基底上的表面DDT化的金纳米粒子以及金纳米粒子的甲苯溶液.在三种状态下都探测到了来自于DDT分子的振动光谱,振动光谱的区别提供了在不同受限态下DDT分子的结构信息.在金属基底上DDT分子排列规整,放置在二氧化硅基底上的金纳米粒子表面的DDT分子具有一定的柔性,在空气-甲苯溶液界面金纳米粒子表面的DDT分子高度无序.此外,光谱实验显示,金纳米粒子表面的分子振动信号产生了局域场增强的效应,相对于金基底上的自组装单层分子而言,增强系数为102-103,取决于光谱的偏振组合.     

不同受限状态下链硫醇的非线性光学响应

以和频(SFG)振动光谱技术探测了正十二硫醇(DDT)在不同受限状态下的分子振动信号, 包括金属基底上的自组装单层(SAM)分子, 放置在二氧化硅基底上的表面DDT化的金纳米粒子以及金纳米粒子的甲苯溶液. 在三种状态下都探测到了来自于DDT分子的振动光谱, 振动光谱的区别提供了在不同受限态下DDT分子的结构信息. 在金属基底上DDT分子排列规整, 放置在二氧化硅基底上的金纳米粒子表面的DDT分子具有一定的柔性, 在空气-甲苯溶液界面金纳米粒子表面的DDT分子高度无序. 此外, 光谱实验显示, 金纳米粒子表面的分子振动信号产生了局域场增强的效应, 相对于金基底上的自组装单层分子而言, 增强系数为10²-10³, 取决于光谱的偏振组合.     

Molecular‐Dynamics‐Simulation‐Directed Rational Design of Nanoreceptors with Targeted Affinity

Here, we demonstrate the possibility of rationally designing nanoparticle receptors with targeted affinity and selectivity for specific small molecules. We used atomistic molecular‐dynamics (MD) simulations to gradually mutate and optimize the chemical structure of the molecules forming the coating monolayer of gold nanoparticles (1.7 nm gold‐core size). The MD‐directed design resulted in nanoreceptors with a 10‐fold improvement in affinity for the target analyte (salicylate) and a 100‐fold decrease of the detection limit by NMR‐chemosensing from the millimolar to the micromolar range. We could define the exact binding mode, which features prolonged contacts and deep penetration of the guest into the monolayer, as well as a distinct shape of the effective binding pockets characterized by exposed interacting points.     

银纳米粒子自组装结构的光谱性质研究

采用自组装方法在玻璃基底表面上构筑了银纳米粒子二维亚单层结构, 进而以对巯基苯胺为耦联分子进行银粒子的二次组装, 构成具有分子尺寸间隙的银粒子簇. 银粒子表面等离子体共振依赖于粒子间距、表面吸附分子和粒子组装方式. 同层内的银粒子相互间电磁偶合可导致银粒子偶极子等离子体共振蓝移; 对巯基苯胺的吸附则使得表面等离子体共振红移. 表面增强拉曼光谱结果表明, 具有分子尺寸间隙的银粒子簇对耦联于粒子间的对巯基苯胺分子的拉曼散射具有极大的增强效应, 同时也使耦联的对巯基苯胺与银粒子间产生更大程度的电荷转移.     

Ethylene glycol monolayer protected nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and interactions with biological molecules

The usefulness of the hybrid materials of nanoparticles and biological molecules on many occasions depends on how well one can achieve a rational design based on specific binding and programmable assembly. Nonspecific binding between nanoparticles and biomolecules is one of the major barriers for achieving their utilities in a biological system. In this paper, we demonstrate a new approach to eliminate nonspecific interactions between nanoparticles and biological molecules by shielding the nanoparticle with a monolayer of ethylene glycol. A direct synthesis of di-, tri-, and tetra(ethylene glycol)-protected gold nanoparticles (Au-S-EGn, n = 2, 3, and 4) was achieved under the condition that the water content was optimized in the range of 9-18% in the reaction mixture. With controlled ratio of [HAuCl4]/[EGn-SH] at 2, the synthesized particles have an average diameter of 3.5 nm and a surface plasma resonance band around 510 nm. Their surface structures were confirmed by 1H NMR spectra. These gold nanoparticles are bonded with a uniform monolayer with defined lengths of 0.8, 1.2, and 1.6 nm for Au-S-EG2, Au-S-EG3, and Au-S-EG4, respectively. They have great stabilities in aqueous solutions with a high concentration of electrolytes as well as in organic solvents. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the ethylene glycol monolayer coating is ca. 14% of the total nanoparticle weight. Biological binding tests by using ion-exchange chromatography and gel electrophoresis demonstrated that these Au-S-EGn (n = 2, 3, or 4) nanoparticles are free of any nonspecific bindings with various proteins, DNA, and RNA. These types of nanoparticles provide a fundamental starting material for designing hybrid materials composed of metallic nanoparticles and biomolecules.     

Nanoparticle‐Assisted Affinity NMR Spectroscopy: High Sensitivity Detection and Identification of Organic Molecules

A simple and effective method for high‐sensitivity NMR detection of selected compounds is reported. The method combines 1D NMR diffusion filter experiments and small monolayer‐protected nanoparticles as high‐affinity receptors. Once bound to the nanoparticles, the diffusion coefficient of the analyte decreases in such way that spectral editing based on diffusion filters can separate its signals from those of other mixture components. Using nanoparticles functionalized with Zn²⁺‐triazacyclonane complexes, detection and identification of phosphorylated organic molecules can be achieved. Diphenyl phosphate can be detected at 25 micromolar concentration with good selectivity. The selectivity toward organic carboxylates is enhanced at pD=3.75. In these conditions, commercial tablets containing betamethasone phosphate and a large excess of benzoate could be successfully analyzed.     

Studies on 2D hybrid films of half surfactant-covered Au nanoparticles at the air/water interface

A hybrid monolayer film of Au nanoparticles, half-covered with dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), was prepared at the air/water interface and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a quartz-crystal microbalance, and infrared spectra measurements. TEM images of the hybrid film showed that the distribution of Au nanoparticles depends on the surface density of DODAC and reaction time. IR spectral data provided evidence for a surface-enhanced effect of the Au nanoparticles. The wavenumber of CH(2)-stretch vibrations of DODAC in the infrared external reflection spectra revealed that the DODAC molecules were adsorbed onto the Au nanoparticles in a close-packed crystalline state for any surface density of DODAC, which is different from the usual behavior of Langmuir monolayers.     

Macroscopic deformation of a substrate as a new method for controlling geometry and plasmon-resonant properties of highly ordered planar ensembles of metal nanoparticles

A new approach to creating highly ordered two-dimensional ensembles of nanoparticles with variable geometric parameters is proposed. It combines diblock copolymer micellar lithography and controlled deformation of a polymer substrate. The key feature of the approach is the formation of a monolayer of hexagonally packed metal precursor-containing micelles of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer on the surface of an isotropically stretched polymer plate. The average distance between micelle centers is 140 nm. Subsequent thermal treatment (or isotropic stretching) of the sample results in the shrinkage (or elongation) of the substrate, which enables one to vary the distance between micelle centers in a range of 80–200 nm while retaining hexagonal packing of the micelles in the monolayer. At the final stage, ensembles of hexagonally ordered gold nanoparticles are obtained by exposing the micellar films to air plasma. It is demonstrated that gold nanoparticles in these ensembles can be enlarged by seeded growth. The systematic study of the plasmon-resonant properties of the resulting ensembles shows that the gradual increase in the distance between 35-nm gold particles from 80 to 200 nm leads to an unexpected nonmonotonic shift of the maximum of localized surface plasmon resonance, which is, from our point of view, caused by the high degree of organization of nanoparticles on the substrate.     

Formation of silver nanoparticles at the air-water interface mediated by a monolayer of functionalized hyperbranched molecules

Nanofibrillar micellar structures formed by the amphiphilic hyperbranched molecules within a Langmuir monolayer were utilized as matter for silver nanoparticle formation from the ion-containing water subphase. We observed that silver nanoparticles were formed within the multifunctional amphiphilic hyperbranched molecules. The diameter of nanoparticles varied from 2-4 nm and was controlled by the core dimensions and the interfibrillar free surface area. Furthermore, upon addition of potassium nitrate to the subphase, the Langmuir monolayer templated the nanoparticles' formation along the nanofibrillar structures. The suggested mechanism of nanoparticle formation involves the oxidation of primary amino groups by silver catalysis facilitated by "caging" of silver ions within surface areas dominated by multibranched cores. This system provides an example of a one-step process in which hyperbranched molecules with outer alkyl tails and compressed amine-hydroxyl cores mediated the formation of stable nanoparticles placed along/among/beneath the nanofibrillar micelles.     

Water-dispersible nanoparticles via interdigitation of sodium dodecylsulphate molecules in octadecylamine-capped gold nanoparticles at a liquid-liquid interface

This paper describes the formation of water-dispersible gold nano-particles capped with a bilayer of sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS) and octadecylamine (ODA) molecules. Vigorous shaking of abiphasic mixture consisting of ODA-capped gold nanoparticles in chloroform and SDS in water results in the rapid phase transfer of ODA-capped gold nanoparticles from the organic to the aqueous phase, the latter acquiring a pink, foam-like appearance in the process. Drying of the coloured aqueous phase results in the formation of a highly stable, reddish powder of gold nanoparticles that may be readily redispersed in water. The water-dispersible gold nanoparticles have been investigated by UV-Vis spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These studies indicate the presence of interdigitated bilayers consisting of an ODA primary monolayer directly coordinated to the gold nanoparticle surface and a secondary monolayer of SDS, this secondary monolayer providing sufficient hydrophilicity to facilitate gold nanoparticle transfer into water and rendering them water-dispersible. Dedicated to Professor C N R Rao on his 70th birthday     

Distance‐dependent Enhancement in Raman Spectroscopy Probed by Conjugated Molecules with Different Molecular Lengths

In this study, the distance‐dependent enhancement effect in surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) was explored with molecules bearing different lengths of conjugated double bonds. These conjugated molecules were synthesized utilizing the diazotization‐coupling reaction allowing a thio group on one end and a nitro group on the other end. The thiol group allows the probed molecule to chemisorb on the surface of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The opposite end of each molecule contains a nitro group, which gives an intense SERS signal to show a fair and accurate comparison of the effect of chain length. The obtained SERS intensities were correlated with the chain lengths of these synthesized molecules, which ranged from 0.6 to 2.0 nm between the nitro and thiol groups. Based on these results, the electromagnetic field effect was mainly responsible for the signal enhancements in SERS measurements. Also, the obtained signals were exponentially decayed due to the distances of the surface of AgNPs. Based on the SERS intensities of the conjugated molecules, the contribution of CT effect to SERS for these examined molecules were limited.     

Optical and Electronic Properties of Different Kinds of Water‐Soluble Porphyrin Films

Water‐soluble porphyrin‐porphyrin and porphyrin‐CdSe nanoparticle monolayer films were self‐assembled on different substrates. The influence of substrates, types of films, and heat treatment temperature on fluorescence of different kinds of porphyrin films was investigated. The SEM images showed the formation of monolayer films on porous alumina foil. The films assembled on porous alumina foil possessed higher fluorescence intensity and thermal stability. The result of conductance measurement indicated that the interaction of trimethylamidophenylporphyrin iodide (TAPPI) molecules with hydroxyl groups on porous alumina foil was weakened after CdSe nanoparticles assembled with TAPPI.     

Photoswitching in azobenzene self-assembled monolayers capped on zinc oxide: nanodots vs nanorods

We report the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of nanohybrid structures consisting of an azobenzene compound grafted on the surface of zinc oxide nanoparticles. Characteristic bathochromic shifts indicate that the azobenzene photochromic molecules self-assemble onto the surface of the nanocrystals. The extent of packing is dependent on the shape of the nanoparticle. ZnO nanorods, with flat facets, enable a tighter organization of the molecules in the self-assembled monolayer than in the case of nanodots that display a more curvated shape. Consistently, the efficiency of photochromic switching of the self-assembled monolayer on ZnO nanoparticles is also shown to be strongly affected by nanoparticle shape.     

Activatable 19F MRI Nanoparticle Probes for the Detection of Reducing Environments

¹⁹F magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probes that can detect biological phenomena such as cell dynamics, ion concentrations, and enzymatic activity have attracted significant attention. Although perfluorocarbon (PFC) encapsulated nanoparticles are of interest in molecular imaging owing to their high sensitivity, activatable PFC nanoparticles have not been developed. In this study, we showed for the first time that the paramagnetic relaxation enhancement (PRE) effect can efficiently decrease the ¹⁹F NMR/MRI signals of PFCs in silica nanoparticles. On the basis of the PRE effect, we developed a reduction‐responsive PFC‐encapsulated nanoparticle probe, FLAME‐SS‐Gd³⁺ (FSG). This is the first example of an activatable PFC‐encapsulated nanoparticle that can be used for in vivo imaging. Calculations revealed that the ratio of fluorine atoms to Gd³⁺ complexes per nanoparticle was more than approximately 5.0×10², resulting in the high signal augmentation.     

Optical method for predicting the composition of self-assembled monolayers of mixed thiols on surfaces coated with silver nanoparticles

With a simple optical method, based on UV-vis absorption spectra on glass slides, it is possible to predict the composition of self-assembled monolayers of mixed thiols, grafted on monolayers of silver nanoparticles. Glass slides are modified with the layer-by-layer technique, first forming a monolayer of mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane, then grafting a monolayer of silver nanoparticles on it. These surfaces are further coated by single or mixed thiol monolayers, by dipping the slides in toluene solutions of the chosen thiols. Exchange constants are calculated for the competitive deposition between the colorless 1-dodecanethiol or PEG5000 thiol and BDP-SH, with the latter being a thiol-bearing molecule containing the strongly absorbing BODIPY (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene) moiety, synthesized on purpose. The constants are calculated by determining the fraction of BDP-SH deposited on the surface from a solution with a given molar fraction, directly measuring the absorption spectra of BDP-SH on the slides. Then, the exchange constant for the competitive deposition between 1-dodecanethiol and PEG5000 thiol is calculated by combining their exchange constants with BDP-SH. This allows to predict the fraction of the two colorless thiols coating the silver nanoparticles slides obtained from a toluene solution with a given molar fraction, for example, of PEG5000 thiol. The correctness of the calculated surface fraction is verified by studying the coating competition between 1-dodecanethiol and a PEG5000 thiol remotely modified with a strongly absorbing fluorescein fragment.     

PDMS-Au复合基底上多环芳烃分子的表面增强拉曼光谱

利用聚二甲基硅氧烷(PDMS)对有机物的富集功能,通过在金纳米粒子单层膜(Au MLF)表面旋涂薄层PDMS膜制备PDMS-Au MLF复合表面增强拉曼光谱(SERS)基底.研究了SERS增强性能与旋涂液浓度及稀释溶剂间的关系,考察了复合基底增强活性的均匀性.研究发现,采用叔丁醇为稀释溶剂,浓度为2%(质量分数)的旋涂液时所得复合基底表面多环芳烃(PAHs)的SERS信号强度最高,且此基底SERS信号强度偏差小于10%.分别以PDMS-Au MLF复合材料和Au MLF作为基底,对比研究了对萘、蒽、菲和芘4种多环芳烃的SERS检测能力.结果表明,PDMS-Au MLF复合基底对以上4种有机物的检出限分别为10~(-6),10~(-7),10~(-8)及10~(-7)mol/L,相比于单一Au MLF基底,其检测限至少降低了1个数量级,这主要源自于PDMS对PAHs的富集作用,且此类复合基底可用于多种多环芳烃混合物的特征识别.     

帽状铜纳米粒子的制备及表面增强拉曼散射活性研究

采用真空热蒸发法在SiO₂纳米粒子自组装单层膜上沉积铜薄膜制备了帽状铜纳米粒子。用扫描电镜、原子力显微镜和紫外-可见-近红外分光光度计对帽状复合纳米粒子的表面形貌和光学性质进行了表征。以亚甲基蓝和吡啶-(2-偶氮-4)间苯二酚为探针分子,研究了该复合纳米粒子的表面增强拉曼散射(SERS)活性。通过比较吸附在不同基底上的吡啶-(2-偶氮-4)间苯二酚的谱峰强度,探讨了SERS效应与表面等离子体共振(SPR)的关系。     

Transition metal-coated nanoparticle films: vibrational characterization with surface-enhanced Raman scattering

The utilization of surface-attached gold nanoparticles as templates for generating Pt-group particles displaying near-optimal surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) characteristics is described. Essentially epitaxial transition metal coatings down to the monolayer level can be prepared, most readily by the spontaneous replacement of an electrochemically deposited copper layer by the desired Pt-group metal. The and essentially pinhole-free nature of the coated nanoparticles is demonstrated from the form of the SER spectra for chemisorbed carbon monoxide and ethylene. The potential of the present strategy for synthesizing relatively monodispersed "core-shell" nanoparticles using a myriad of coating materials, also displaying SERS activity, is pointed out.