Synthesis and Stabilization of Gold Nanoparticles in Reverse Micelles of Aerosol OT and Triton X-100

Mechanisms of the formation and stabilization of gold nanoparticles in reverse micelles of micro-emulsions based on Triton X-100 (TX-100) and Aerosol OT (AOT) are studied. The instability of AOT-based microemulsions is shown to be caused by the oxidative degradation of gold nanoparticles in micelle water pools. Methods are proposed for the stabilization of these microemulsions. It is revealed that the mean size of gold nanoparticles synthesized in TX-100 reverse micelles in the presence of sodium sulfite is markedly smaller than that of particles prepared in AOT reverse micelles. This is explained by the fact that gold clusters are formed in the micelle shell rather than in the water pool. In the shell, the clusters are stabilized by oxyethylene groups of TX-100 molecules.__________Translated from Kolloidnyi Zhurnal, Vol. 67, No. 4, 2005, pp. 534–540.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Spirin, Brichkin, Razumov.     

Spectroscopic characteristics of gold nanoparticles synthesized in an aqueous solution of a micelle-forming surfactant (AOT)

Gold nanoparticles were synthesized in aqueous solutions of AOT using hydrazine as the reducing agent and characterized by spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy, and photon-correlation spectroscopy. The effect of gold (C_Au = 10^–4–10^–3 mol/L) and AOT (C_AOT = 5 × 10^–4–2.5 × 10^–2 mol/L) concentrations on the formation of stable gold sols (λ_max = 520 nm) was studied. According to transmission electron microscopy data, the average size of gold nanoparticles in the dispersions was ~10 nm, which was in good agreement with the n-averaged hydrodynamic diameter determined by the photon correlation spectroscopy.     

Influence of particle size on the binding activity of proteins adsorbed onto gold nanoparticles

We used optical extinction spectroscopy to study the structure of proteins adsorbed onto gold nanoparticles of sizes 5-60 nm and their resulting biological binding activity. For these studies, proteins differing in size and shape, with well-characterized and specific interactions-rabbit immunoglobulin G (IgG), goat anti-rabbit IgG (anti-IgG), Staphylococcal protein A, streptavidin, and biotin-were used as model systems. Protein interaction with gold nanoparticles was probed by optical extinction measurements of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) of the gold nanoparticles. Binding of the ligands in solution to protein molecules already immobilized on the surface of gold causes a small but detectable shift in the LSPR peak of the gold nanoparticles. This shift can be used to probe the binding activity of the adsorbed protein. Within the context of Mie theory calculations, the thickness of the adsorbed protein layer as well as its apparent refractive index is shown to depend on the size of the gold nanoparticle. The results suggest that proteins can adopt different orientations that depend on the size of the gold nanospheres. These different orientations, in turn, can result in different levels of biological activity. For example, we find that IgG adsorbed on spheres with diameter ≥20 nm does not bind to protein A. This study illustrates the principle that the size of nanoparticles can strongly influence the binding activity of adsorbed proteins. In addition to the importance of this in cases of direct exposure of proteins to nanoparticles, the results have implications for proteins adsorbed to materials with nanometer scale surface roughness.     

Preparation of organic nanoparticles using microemulsions: their potential use in transdermal delivery

Organic nanoparticles of cholesterol and retinol have been synthesized in various AOT (Aerosol OT; sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate)/heptane/water microemulsions by direct precipitation of the active principle in the aqueous cores. The nanoparticles are observed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) using the adsorption of a contrasting agent, such as iodine vapor. The size of the nanoparticles can be influenced, in principle, by the concentration of the organic molecules and the diameter of the water cores, which is related to the ratio R=[H2O]/[surfactant]. The particles remain stable for several months. The average diameter of the cholesterol nanoparticles varies between 3.0 and 7.0 nm, while that of retinol varies between 4.0 and 10 nm. The average size of the cholesterol nanoparticles does not change much either as a function of the ratio R or as a function of the concentration of cholesterol. The constant size of the nanoparticles can be explained by the thermodynamic stabilization of a preferential size of the particles. Chloroform is used to carry the active principle into the aqueous cores. Retinol molecules form J-complexes composed of two or three molecules, as detected by UV-visible spectroscopy.     

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     

Properties of conducting films of electrophoretic concentrates of silver and gold nanoparticles in AOT surfactant

Liquid concentrates of silver and gold nanoparticles with 1–2 M metal concentrations were isolated by electrophoresis in a capacitor-type cell from AOT reverse micellar solutions in n-decane. The electrophoretic concentrates and the starting micellar solutions were characterized by nonaqueous electrophoresis, transmission electron microscopy, photon correlation spectroscopy (dynamic light scattering), and spectrophotometry. The hydrodynamic diameter of silver and gold nanoparticles was 13.2 and 8.6 nm, respectively; the ζ-potential was 70 and 13 mV. The drying of the concentrates on glass and silicon substrates and subsequent treatment with a 30% solution of water in ethanol gave mirror conducting Ag, Au, Ag-Au, and Au/Ag films containing on the average 80% metal and 20 wt % AOT. The film structure, morphology, and composition were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion analysis (EDX).     

Valence-controlled protein conjugation on nanoparticles via re-arrangeable multivalent interactions of tandem repeat protein chains

Precise control of the number of conjugated proteins on a nanoparticle surface has long been a highly challenging task. Here, we developed a one-pot, purification-free strategy for valency-controlled conjugation of tandem repeat protein chains on gold nanoparticles. Protein chains were designed to contain multiple, regularly spaced binding modules, which can multivalently interact with coating molecules on nanoparticle surfaces. We discovered that a slow increase of this interaction strength facilitates full participation of repeated binding modules on a protein chain for surface binding (as well as dynamic rearrangement) on a single nanoparticle, which resulted in stable protein chain wrapping around nanoparticles. By varying the protein chain length, a defined number of protein chains were conjugated on gold nanoparticles with difference sizes. Various high-order nanoparticle structures were accurately assembled with these valence-controlled protein–particle conjugates. The present strategy offers a highly dynamic but controlled protein coating approach on solid surfaces of diverse nanostructures. In addition, this work also provides a valuable clue to understand dynamic binding processes of multivalent repeat proteins.

Tandem repeat protein chains were wrapped around nanoparticles via re-arrangeable multivalent interactions for valence controlled protein conjugation.     

Morphological and electrical characteristics of amino acid–AuNP nanostructured two-dimensional ensembles

The interaction between amino acids (l-cysteine, l-lysine) and gold nanoparticle layers deposited on ITO glasses was investigated. The citrate capped gold nanoparticles (AuNP) were first deposited as a thin layer onto silanized ITO and subsequently linked with an amino acid, due to strong affinity of thiol and amine groups to gold. The gold nanoparticles had an elliptical shape, with size varying between 7 and 14 nm, as indicated by TEM analysis. After deposition on ITO substrate, the nanoparticles self-assembled into large aggregates with poor contact between, as revealed by AFM. After linking l-cysteine or l-lysine to the surface of nanoparticles layer, a change in morphology occured. A better contact between the gold aggregates boundary developed, which improved the conducting properties of the nanostructured layer. The electrical resistance of the AuNPs layer, obtained from I–V measurements, was very high (2.8 × 10¹³ Ω) and slightly decreased after linking the NPs with amino acids.     

Phase transfer of platinum nanoparticles from aqueous to organic solutions using fatty amine molecules

In this report we demonstrate a simple process based on amine chemistry for the phase transfer of platinum nanoparticles from an aqueous to an organic solution. The phase transfer was accomplished by vigorous shaking of a biphasic mixture of platinum nanoparticles synthesised in an aqueous medium and octadecylamine (ODA) in hexane. During shaking of the biphasic mixture, the aqueous platinum nanoparticles complex via either coordination bond formation or weak covalent interaction with the ODA molecules present in the organic phase. This process renders the nanoparticles sufficiently hydrophobic and dispersible in the organic phase. The ODA-stabilised platinum nanoparticles could be separated out from hexane in the form of a powder that is readily redispersible in weakly polar and non-polar organic solvents. The ODA-capped platinum nanoparticles show high catalytic activity in hydrogenation reactions and this is demonstrated in the efficient conversion of styrene to ethyl benzene. The nature of binding of the ODA molecules to the platinum nanoparticles surface was characterised by thermogravimetry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)     

Probing BSA binding to citrate-coated gold nanoparticles and surfaces

The interaction of bovine serum albumin (BSA) with gold colloids and surfaces was studied using zeta-potential and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurements, respectively, to determine the surface charge and coverage. The combination of these two measurements suggests that BSA binding to gold nanoparticles and gold surfaces occurs by an electrostatic mechanism when citrate is present. The binding of BSA to bare gold is nearly two times greater than the binding of BSA to a citrate-coated gold surface, suggesting that protein spreading (denaturation) on the surface may occur followed by secondary protein binding. On the other hand, binding to citrate-coated gold surfaces can be fit to a Langmuir isotherm model to obtain a maximum surface coverage of (3.7 +/- 0.2) x 10(12) molecules/cm(2) and a binding constant of 1.0 +/- 0.3 microM(-1). The zeta-potential measurements show that the stabilization of colloids by BSA has a significant contribution from a steric mechanism because the colloids are stable, even at their isoelectric point (pI approximately 4.6). To be consistent with the observed phenomena, the electrostatic interactions between BSA and citrate must consist of salt-bridges, for example, of the carboxylate-ammonium type, between the citrate and the lysine on the protein surface. The data support the role of strong electrostatic binding but do not exclude contributions from steric or hydrophobic interactions with the surface adlayer.     

Size-dependent carrier dynamics in CdS nanoparticles by femtosecond visible-pump/IR-probe measurements

Ultrafast photoexcited carrier dynamics in CdS nanoparticles prepared by an AOT/n-heptane reversed micelle system were investigated by a femtosecond visible-pump/mid-IR probe technique. A mid-IR probe beam was found to mainly probe the ultrafast dynamics of photoexcited electrons in the conduction band. Dispersions of CdS nanoparticles with 8 different mean diameters from 2.9 to 4.1 nm were prepared by tuning the mole ratio between water and AOT (W = [H(2)O]/[AOT]) in the reversed micelle systems. The excited state lifetime strongly depended on the mean size of CdS nanoparticles with a maximum around a mean diameter of 3.5 nm. This result was explained by considering the balance between the carrier recombination rates via surface states and those via interior states. The relationship between the excited state lifetime and the size of CdS nanoparticles was drastically changed when the surface was terminated by thiol molecules.     

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.     

Silver-colloid-nucleated cytochrome c superstructures encapsulated in silica nanoarchitectures

We recently discovered that self-organized superstructures of the heme protein cytochrome c (cyt. c) are nucleated in buffer by gold nanoparticles. The protein molecules within the superstructure survive both silica sol-gel encapsulation and drying from supercritical carbon dioxide to form air-filled biocomposite aerogels that exhibit gas-phase binding activity for nitric oxide. In this investigation, we report that viable proteins are present in biocomposite aerogels when the nucleating metal nanoparticle is silver rather than gold. Silver colloids were synthesized via reduction of an aqueous solution of Ag+ using either citrate or borohydride reductants. As determined by transmission electron microscopy and UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, the silver nanoparticles vary in size and shape depending on the synthetic route, which affects the fraction of cyt. c that survives the processing necessary to form a biocomposite aerogel. Silver colloids synthesized via the citrate preparation are polydisperse, with sizes ranging from 1 to 100 nm, and lead to low cyt. c viability in the dried bioaerogels (approximately 15%). Protein superstructures nucleated at approximately 10-nm Ag colloids prepared via the borohydride route, including citrate stabilization of the borohydride-reduced metal, retain significant protein viability within the bioaerogels (approximately 45%).     

J-complexes of retinol formed within the nanoparticles prepared from microemulsions

Retinol nanoparticles have been obtained by direct precipitation of retinol in the inner water cores of AOT/heptane/water microemulsions. The retinol dissolved in chloroform was injected into the microemulsion. The diameter of the so-obtained nanoparticles was measured using transmission electron microscope pictures where the revelation was made thanks to adsorbed iodine on the nanoparticles. The size is ca 6.0 nm, and it is not dependent either on the size of the water droplets or the concentration of the retinol molecules. This phenomenon is explained by the thermodynamic stabilization of the nanoparticles at a certain size. UV-visible spectra of the nanoparticles show a new band the maximum of which has a bathochromic shift with respect to the absorption band of the retinol monomers. If the bathochromic shift is plotted as a function of the line width, a linear correlation is obtained, the line width is decreasing with increasing shift. This behavior is interpreted as being due to an excitonic transition of a J-complex. Quantum chemical calculations have been carried out to confirm the presence of J-complexes. Taking into account the various possible geometries, the results confirm the presence of J-complexes composed of three head-to-tail molecules on the average.     

Detection of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) compounds in artificial sea-water using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

This paper reports an accurate synthesis of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) active substrates, based on gold colloidal monolayer, suitable for in situ environmental analysis. Quartz substrates were functionalized by silanization with (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPMS) or (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and they subsequently reacted with colloidal suspension of gold metal nanoparticles: respectively, the functional groups SH and NH₂ bound gold nanoparticles. Gold nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical reduction of HAuCl₄ using sodium tricitrate and immobilized onto silanized quartz substrates. Active substrate surface morphology was characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements and gold nanoparticles presented a diameter in the range 40-100 nm. Colloidal hydrophobic films, allowing nonpolar molecule pre-concentration, were obtained. The surfaces exhibit strong enhancement of Raman scattering from molecules adsorbed on the films. Spectra were recorded for two PAHs, naphthalene and pyrene, in artificial sea-water (ASW) with limits of detection (LODs) of 10 ppb for both on MPMS silanized substrates.     

Phase transfer of silver nanoparticles from aqueous to organic solutions using fatty amine molecules

We demonstrate the phase transfer of silver nanoparticles synthesized in an aqueous medium into hexane containing the cationic surfactant octadecylamine (ODA). During vigorous shaking of the biphasic mixture, rapid phase transfer of the silver nanoparticles into the organic phase was observed. The phase transfer of the silver nanoparticles arises due to coupling of the silver nanoparticles with the ODA molecules present in organic phase via either coordination bond formation or weak covalent interaction. This process renders the nanoparticles sufficiently hydrophobic and dispersible in the organic phase. The ODA-stabilized silver nanoparticles could be separated out from the organic phase in the form of a powder and are readily redispersible in different organic solvents. The nature of binding of the ODA molecules to the silver nanoparticle surface was characterized using UV-vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetry, transmission electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, X-ray photoemission spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.     

金纳米粒子表面自组装巯基十一烷醇单分子层体系的制备及其光散射特性研究

采用柠檬酸钠还原法制备了水相金纳米粒子, 通过巯基的自组装, 成功获得了巯基十一烷醇(MUN)单分子层保护的金纳米粒子. 用紫外可见光谱、透射电子显微镜、激光散射粒度分析、同步散射光谱和发射光谱等手段对组装前后的金纳米粒子的性质进行了研究. 结果表明: 制备的金纳米粒子最大吸收波长518 nm, 形状规则, 粒度均匀, 平均粒径为14.6 nm, 每个粒子含有约9.64×10⁴原子; 组装之后的金纳米粒子表面等离子体共振吸收峰红移17.0 nm, 平均粒径增大为20.2 nm, 组装层的平均厚度2.8 nm, 与MUN分子长度相当, 结合量实验证明每一个金纳米粒子可以结合约7.52×10³个MUN, 表面覆盖率为83.6%, 粒子分散均匀, 稳定性增强可长期保存; 同步散射光谱变化和发射光谱中分频、差频和倍频峰的存在证明, 金纳米粒子组装前后均具有非线性光学特性.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Bimetallic Copper-Gold Nanoparticles

We have synthesized copper-gold, core-shell nanoparticles by the microemulsion method. The particles were prepared in two steps, by first reducing copper ions and then gold ions in the aqueous domains of anionic microemulsions. Two surfactants have been used as emulsifiers, AOT and Cu(AOT)₂. The latter is the source of copper ions. Gold ions come from aqueous solutions of HAuCl₄. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy experiments show that copper nanoparticles are created in the first step of the synthesis, and that a gold layer covers them in the second step. Transmission electron microscopy and related techniques confirm the formation of copper (core)-gold (shell) nanocrystals.     

Microwave-induced synthesis of highly dispersed gold nanoparticles within the pore channels of mesoporous silica

Highly dispersed gold nanoparticles have been incorporated into the pore channels of SBA-15 mesoporous silica through a newly developed strategy assisted by microwave radiation (MR). The sizes of gold are effectively controlled attributed to the rapid and homogeneous nucleation, simultaneous propagation and termination of gold precursor by MR. Diol moieties with high dielectric and dielectric loss constants, and hence a high microwave activation, were firstly introduced to the pore channels of SBA-15 by a simple addition reaction between amino group and glycidiol and subsequently served as the reduction centers for gold nanoparticles. Extraction of the entrapped gold from the nanocomposite resulted in milligram quantities of gold nanoparticles with low dispersity. The successful assembly process of diol groups and formation of gold nanoparticles were monitored and tracked by solid-state NMR and UV-vis measurements. Characterization by small angle X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that the incorporation of gold nanoparticles would not breakup the structural integrity and long-range periodicity of SBA-15. The gold nanoparticles had a narrow size distribution with diameters in the size range of 5-10 nm through TEM observation. The average particles size is 7.9 nm via calculation by the Scherrer formula and TEM measurements. Nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms gave further evidence that the employed method was efficient and gold nanoparticles were successfully incorporated into the pore channels of SBA-15.     

Binding of chloroquine-conjugated gold nanoparticles with bovine serum albumin

We have conjugated chloroquine, an anti-malarial, antiviral and anti-tumor drug, with thiol-functionalized gold nanoparticles and studied their binding interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein. Gold nanoparticles have been synthesized using sodium borohydride as reducing agent and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid as thiol functionalizing ligand in aqueous medium. The formation of gold nanoparticles was confirmed from the characteristic surface plasmon absorption band at 522 nm and transmission electron microscopy revealed the average particle size to be ~7 nm. Chloroquine was conjugated to thiolated gold nanoparticles by using EDC/NHS chemistry and the binding was analyzed using optical density measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The chloroquine-conjugated gold nanoparticles (GNP-Chl) were found to interact efficiently with BSA. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the binding is driven by both enthalpy and entropy, accompanied with only a minor alteration in protein's structure. Competitive drug binding assay revealed that the GNP-Chl bind at warfarin binding site I in subdomain IIA of BSA and was further supported by Trp212 fluorescence quenching measurements. Unraveling the nature of interactions of GNP-Chl with BSA would pave the way for the design of nanotherapeutic agents with improved functionality, enriching the field of nanomedicine.