Composition-controlled synthesis of bimetallic gold-silver nanoparticles

This paper reports findings of an investigation of the synthesis of monolayer-capped binary gold-silver (AuAg) bimetallic nanoparticles that is aimed at understanding the control factors governing the formation of the bimetallic compositions. The synthesis of alkanethiolate-capped AuAg nanoparticles was carried out using two related synthetic protocols using aqueous sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. One involves a two-phase reduction of AuCl(4)(-), which is dissolved in organic solution, and Ag(+), which is dissolved in aqueous solution. The other protocol involves a two-phase reduction of AuCl(4)(-) and AgBr(2)(-), both of which are dissolved in the same organic solution. AuAg nanoparticles of 2-3 nm core sizes with different compositions in the range of 0-100% Au have been synthesized. The two synthetic routes were compared in terms of bimetallic composition and size properties. Our new findings have allowed us to establish the correlation between synthetic feeding of metals and metal compositions in the bimetallic nanoparticles, which have important implications to the exploration of gold-based bimetallic nanoparticles for constructing sensing and catalytic nanomaterials.     

Micelle-assisted one-pot synthesis of water-soluble polyaniline-gold composite particles

A micelle-based method to synthesize dispersed polyaniline (PANI)-Au composite particles by direct oxidation of aniline using AuCl4- as the oxidant is presented. The obtained composite particles have a core-shell structure, where Au nanoparticles of 20 nm mean diameter are encapsulated by PANI of well-defined tetrahedron shape with 150 nm average edge length. The polaron band of the dispersed PANI-Au composite particles is centered at 745 nm and is rather narrow compared to the broad 835 nm absorption of PANI synthesized by the IUPAC procedure. The surface plasmon absorption of Au nanoparticles normally centered at around 520 nm is absent in the composite particles with oxidized PANI. Our results point to a strong electronic interaction between the encapsulated Au nanoparticles and the shell of oxidized PANI. Films and pellets produced from these composite particles show a twofold higher conductivity than IUPAC PANI.     

Time-dependent Diffusion Coefficient and Conventional Diffusion Constant of Nanoparticles in Polymer Melts by Mode-coupling Theory (cited: 2)

Time-dependent diffusion coefficient and conventional diffusion constant are calculated and analyzed to study diffusion of nanoparticles in polymer melts. A generalized Langevin equa-tion is adopted to describe the diffusion dynamics. Mode-coupling theory is employed to calculate the memory kernel of friction. For simplicity, only microscopic terms arising from binary collision and coupling to the solvent density fluctuation are included in the formalism. The equilibrium structural information functions of the polymer nanocomposites required by mode-coupling theory are calculated on the basis of polymer reference interaction site modelwith Percus-Yevick closure. The effect of nanoparticle size and that of the polymer size are clarified explicitly. The structural functions, the friction kernel, as well as the diffusion coefficient show a rich variety with varying nanoparticle radius and polymer chain length. We find that for small nanoparticles or short chain polymers, the characteristic short time non-Markov diffusion dynamics becomes more prominent, and the diffusion coefficient takes longer time to approach asymptotically the conventional diffusion constant. This constant due to the microscopic contributions will decrease with the increase of nanoparticle size, while increase with polymer size. Furthermore, our result of diffusion constant from mode-coupling theory is compared with the value predicted from the Stokes-Einstein relation. It shows that the microscopic contributions to the diffusion constant are dominant for small nanoparticles or long chain polymers. Inversely, when nanonparticle is big, or polymer chain is short, the hydrodynamic contribution might play a significant role.     

Facile synthesis of polyaniline nanofibers using chloroaurate acid as the oxidant

This work demonstrated a facile route to the synthesis of polyaniline (PANI) nanofibers by polymerization of aniline using chloroaurate acid (HAuCl(4)) as the oxidant. The reduction of AuCl(4)(-) is accompanied by oxidative polymerization of aniline, leading to uniform PANI nanofibers with a diameter of 35 +/- 5 nm and aggregated gold nanoparticles which can precipitate from the liquid phase during the reaction. The resultant PANI nanofibers and gold particles were characterized by means of different techniques, such as UV-vis, FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy methods. It is found that the gold aggregates are capped with polyaniline, and the conductivity of the fibers is around 0.16 S/cm.     

Formation of Au-Pt bimetallic nanoparticles in a two-layer SiO2 films doped with Au and Pt, respectively, through interlayer diffusion

Bimetallic Au-Pt nanoparticles have been generated inside a relatively porous SiO2 film matrix by a two-layer (2L) coating methodology. Two overlapping coating layers were deposited on glass substrates from Au- and Pt-doped inorganic-organic hybrid silica sols and air dried at 60 degrees C. The 2L coating assembly was then UV- and followed by heat-treated at 450 and 550 degrees C in air. UV-treatment decomposes AuCl(4)(-) and PtCl(6)(2-) ions in the respective layers and the subsequent heat treatment in air influences the diffusion of Au and Pt nanometals to each other to form bimetallic Au-Pt nanoparticles inside the silica matrix. A UV-visible study showed damping of Au-plasmon after heat treatments. GIXRD and TEM analyses reveal the formation of a partial Au/Pt solid solution with a small fraction of Pt ( approximately 16%), while the major fraction of Pt remains fused with the Au(Pt) solid solution.     

Comparison between measurements of elasticity and free amino group content of ovalbumin microcapsule membranes: discrimination of the cross-linking degree

Gold nanoparticle-doped poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) microcapsules and foam films were synthesized and assembled at the P2VP chloroform solution/HAuCl(4) aqueous solution interface at 25 °C. It was found that Au nanoparticles with the average diameter of 2.1 nm were homogeneously embedded in and adsorbed on the walls of the capsules and foams, the nanoparticles were composed of Au(0) and Au(III) with the molar ratio of about 75/25, and the mass percent of Au elements was measured to be 19.65%. The formation of the nanostructures was attributed to the self-assembly of P2VP at the liquid/liquid interface, the simultaneous reduction of AuCl(4)(-) ions by a small amount of ethanol in the chloroform and adsorption of AuCl(4)(-) ions. After irradiated by UV-light for 1h, the average diameter of the nanoparticles was found to be 2.2 nm, and the AuCl(4)(-) ions were transformed to Au(0) completely. The catalytic performance of these composite nanostructures were evaluated by using the reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) by potassium borohydride in aqueous solutions. The catalytic activity was very high in the first cycle, decreased rapidly and slightly in the second and third cycles, respectively, due to the aggregation of some nanoparticles, and stabilized after the third cycle.     

Platinum-catalyzed synthesis of water-soluble gold-platinum nanoparticles

The ability to control composition and size in the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles is important for the exploitation of the bimetallic catalytic properties. This paper reports findings of an investigation of a new approach to the synthesis of gold-platinum (AuPt) bimetallic nanoparticles in aqueous solution via one-phase reduction of AuCl(4-) and PtCl(4)(2-) using a combination of reducing and capping agents. Hydrogen served as a reducing agent for the reduction of Pt(II), whereas acrylate was used as a reducing agent for the reduction of Au(III). The latter reaction was found to be catalyzed by the formation of Pt as a result of the reduction of Pt(II). Acrylate also functioned as capping agent on the resulting nanocrystals. By controlling the feed ratios of AuCl(4-) and PtCl(4)(2-) and the relative concentrations of acrylate, an effective route for the preparation of AuPt nanoparticles with bimetallic compositions ranging from approximately 4 to 90% Au and particle sizes ranging from 2 to 8 nm has been demonstrated. The composition, size, and shell properties were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, direct current plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Implications of the results to the exploration of bifunctional catalysts are also briefly discussed.     

聚苯胺/贵金属复合纳米材料的可控合成及催化应用

导电高分子/贵金属复合纳米材料因其在催化、传感、表面增强拉曼、光热治疗等诸多领域的应用前景而受到广泛关注.本文主要介绍我们课题组近年来利用可控合成策略制备的负载型和包埋型两种结构聚苯胺/贵金属复合纳米材料,以及利用复合纳米材料的结构和功能特性,对其在多相催化领域的应用、结构与催化性能之间构效关系的探索.     

Triclosan-loaded with high encapsulation efficiency into PLA nanoparticles coated with β-cyclodextrin polymer

The purpose was to prepare triclosan-loaded polylactic acid nanoparticles containing β-cyclodextrin polymer shell, evaluate triclosan release from the particles using Franz diffusion cells and to study the stability of the particles in presence of a model protein, bovine serum albumin. The nanoparticles were prepared by a solvent displacement process. The nanoparticles were characterized by their size, encapsulation efficiency and morphology. They were of spherical shape with hydrodynamic diameter of about 100 or 200 nm depending on the polylactic acid used. Their high encapsulation efficiency (~90%) indicated that triclosan is easily incorporated into the nanoparticles. The nanoparticles displayed slow and sustained triclosan release patterns (diffusion coefficient about 10^?22 m²/s) and the β-cyclodextrin polymer coating was stable under simulated physiological conditions. All these data indicated that these novel core–shell nanoparticles might provide a promising carrier system for controlled release of triclosan and other hydrophobic drugs after systemic administration.     

Strategies toward well‐defined polymer nanoparticles inspired by nature: Chemistry versus versatility

Polymeric nanoparticles are promising delivery platforms for various biomedical applications. One of the main challenges toward the development of therapeutic nanoparticles is the premature disassembly and release of the encapsulated drug. Among the different strategies to enhance the kinetic stability of polymeric nanoparticles, shell‐ and core‐crosslinking have been shown to provide robust character, while creating a suitable environment for encapsulation of a wide range of therapeutics, including hydrophilic, hydrophobic, metallic, and small and large biomolecules, with gating of their release as well. The versatility of shell‐ and core‐crosslinked nanoparticles is driven from the ease by which the structures of the shell‐ and core‐forming polymers and crosslinkers can be modified. In addition, postmodification with cell‐recognition moieties, grafting of antibiofouling polymers, or chemical degradation of the core to yield nanocages allow the use of these robust nanostructures as “smart” nanocarriers. The building principles of these multifunctional nanoparticles borrow analogy from the synthesis, supramolecular assembly, stabilization, and dynamic activity of the naturally driven biological nanoparticles such as proteins, lipoproteins, and viruses. In this review, the chemistry involved during the buildup from small molecules to polymers to covalently stabilized nanoscopic objects is detailed, with contrast of the strategies of the supramolecular assembly of polymer building blocks followed by intramicellar stabilization into shell‐, core‐, or core–shell‐crosslinked knedel‐like nanoparticles versus polymerization of polymers into nanoscopic molecular brushes followed by further intramolecular covalent stabilization events. The rational design of shell‐crosslinked knedel‐like nanoparticles is then elaborated for therapeutic packaging and delivery, with emphasis on the polymer chemistry aspects to accomplish the synthesis of such nanoparticulate systems. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Effect of ionizing radiation on polyaniline solutions

This communication presents the optical studies associated with transition doped (metallic)-neutral (semiconductor or insulator) state for conducting polymers. Special attention is focused on the electronic properties of polyaniline. The interconversion of different oxidation states of polyanilines has been studied by chemical and radiolytic methods. The polyaniline system is described by three sets of chromophores of three different oxidation states: fully reduced leucoemeraldine base (LB), partially oxidized emeraldine base (EB), and fully oxidized pernigraniline (PB). Each oxidation state can exist in its protonated form by treatment with an acid. All members of polyaniline family are spectroscopically distinguishable. The radiolytic study presents evidence that the polyaniline can exist in a continuum of oxidation states. The highly conducting form of polymer, i.e. emeraldine salt can be converted by using ionizing radiation into leucoemeraldine salt. The leucoemeraldine base is the final product of radiolysis of emeraldine base solution. The fully oxidized form of polyaniline can also be obtained by the irradiation of EB in the presence of CCl₄ or chlorobenzene.     

Stimuli‐Triggered Growth and Removal of a Bioreducible Nanoshell on Nanoparticles

A new and easy method of stimuli‐triggered growth and removal of a bioreducible nanoshell on nanoparticles is reported. The results show that pH or temperature could induce the aggregation of disulfide‐contained branched polymers at the surface of nanoparticles; subsequently, the aggregated polymers could undergo intermolecular disulfide exchange to cross‐link the aggregated polymers, forming a bioreducible polymer shell around nanoparticles. When these nanoparticles with a polymer shell are treated with glutathione (GSH) or d,l ‐dithiothreitol (DTT), the polymer shell could be easily removed from the nanoparticles. The potential application of this method is demonstrated by easily growing and removing a bioreducible shell from liposomes, and improvement of in vivo gene transfection activity of liposomes with a bioreducible PEG shell.

     

The first acetimine gold(I) and gold(III) complexes and the first acetonine complexes

Ketimino(phosphino)gold(I) complexes of the type [Au[NR=C(Me)R']L]X (X = ClO4, R = H, L = PPh3, R'=Me (la), Et (2a); L=PAr3 (Ar=C6H4OMe-4), R'=Me (1b), Et (2b); L=PPh3, R=R'=Me (3); X= CF3SO3 (OTf), L=PPh3, R=R'=Me (3'); R=Ar, R'=Me (4)) have been prepared from [Au(acac)L] (acac = acetyl acetonate) and ammonium salts [RNH3]X dissolved in the appropriate ketone MeC(O)R'. Complexes [Au(NH=CMe2)2]X (X = C1O4 (6), OTf (6')) were obtained from solutions of [Au(NH3)2]X in acetone. The reaction of 6 with PPN[AuCl2] or with PhICl2 gave [AuCl(NH=CMe2)] (7) or [AuCI2(NH=CMe2)2]ClO4 (8), respectively. Complex 7 was oxidized with PhICl2 to give [AuCl3(NH=CMe2)] (9). The reaction of [AuCl(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene), NaClO4, and ammonia in acetone gave [Au(acetonine)2]ClO4 (10) (acetonine = 2,2,4,4,6-pentamethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydropyrimidine) which reacted with PPh3 or with PPN[AuCl2] to give [Au(PPh3)(acetonine)]ClO4 (11) or [AuCl(acetonine)] (12), respectively. Complex 11 reacts with [Au(PPh3)(Me2CO)]ClO4 to give [(AuPPh3)2(mu-acetonine)](ClO4)2 (13). The reaction of AgClO4 with acetonine gave [Ag(acetonine)(OClO3)] (14). The crystal structures of [Au(NH2Ar)(PPh3)]OTf (5), 6' and 10 have been determined.     

Formation of gold nanoparticles catalyzed by platinum nanoparticles: assessment of the catalytic mechanism

The understanding of how the formation of metal nanoparticles in aqueous solutions is influenced by the presence of presynthesized nanoparticles is important for precise control over size, shape, and composition of nanoparticles. New insights into the catalytic mechanism of Pt nanoparticles are gained by studying the formation of gold nanoparticles from the reduction of AuCl(4)(-) in aqueous solution in the presence of presynthesized Pt nanoparticles as a model system. The measurement of changes of the surface plasmon resonance band of gold nanoparticles, along with TEM analysis of particle size and morphology, provided an important means for assessing the reaction kinetics. The reductive mediation of Pt-H species on the Pt nanocrystal surface is believed to play an important role in the Pt-catalyzed formation of gold nanoparticles. This important physical insight is evidenced by comparison of the rates of the Pt-catalyzed formation of gold nanoparticles in the presence and in the absence of hydrogen (H(2)), which adsorb dissociatively on a Pt nanocrystal surface forming Pt-H species. Pt-H effectively mediates the reduction of AuCl(4)(-) toward the formation of gold nanoparticles. Implications of the findings to the controllability over size, composition, and morphology of metal nanoparticles in the aqueous synthesis environment are also discussed.     

Studies on Morphology and Conductivity of Poly (N-methyl aniline) Nanoparticles Prepared in Nonstirred Reaction Medium

Summary: Polyaniline has elicited the most interest due to its wide range of applications in many fields. However insolubility and infusibility are the main factors that affect the application of polyaniline. We have studied and worked on the synthesis of dispersible polyaniline and the results are described here. Poly (N-methyl aniline) PNMANI nanoparticles with controllable morphology and sizes were prepared by removing a routine operation stirring from the conventional method of synthesis and using acrylic acid as a soft template. It is found that polymer formed in the non-stirring experiment predominantly produces highly dispersible, smooth nanoparticles with controllable morphology and sizes. These nanoparticles have large surface area and thereby high conductivity. Mechanism for generation of well dispersed and smooth nanoparticles is supported by homogeneous nucleation of polymer nanoparticles in non stirred experiments and the use of acrylic acid as a soft template. In the case of the experiment where the reaction mixture was stirred at 1000 RPM comparatively coral-like, granular and uncontrolled polymer particles were formed. These coral like granular particles were having comparatively small surface area and less conductivity. Conductivity measurements, UV- visible, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy and SEM were performed to characterize the product. This method can be used to synthesize highly conductive polymers in minimum time and bulk quantity.     

A facile method of achieving low surface coverage of Au nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode and its application to protein detection

Low surface coverage of Au nanoparticles on an indium tin oxide electrode for sensitive electrochemical detection was achieved using electrostatic adsorption of AuCl(4)(-) followed by reduction.     

Three-dimensional Brownian diffusion of rod-like macromolecules in the presence of randomly distributed spherical obstacles: molecular dynamics simulation

Brownian diffusion of rod-like polymers in the presence of randomly distributed spherical obstacles is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. It is observed that dependence of the reduced diffusion coefficient of these macromolecules on the available volume fraction can be described reasonably by a power law function. Despite the case of obstructed diffusion of flexible polymers in which reduced diffusion coefficient has a weak dependence on the polymer length, this dependence is noticeably strong in the case of rod-like polymers. Diffusion of these macromolecules in the presence of obstacles is observed that is anomalous at short time scales and normal at long times. Duration time of the anomalous diffusion regime is found that increases very rapidly with increasing both the polymer length and the obstructed volume fraction. Dynamics of diffusion of these polymers is observed that crosses over from Rouse to reptation type with increasing the density of obstacles.     

Facile synthesis of gold nanoplates by thermally reducing AuCl4ˉwith aniline

We herein report a one-step,wet-chemical approach to synthesizing gold nanoplates in large quantities via the AuCl4-thermal reduction process by aniline,without introducing additional capping agent or surfactant.It is found that the reduction kinetics of AuCl4-is greatly altered by varying the initial molar ratio of aniline to AuCl4-.Moreover,further investigation reveals that the in-situ formed polyaniline could serve effectively as a capping agent to preferably adsorb the { 111 } facets of gold crystals during a slow reduction process,directing the formation of gold nanoplates.     

聚乙二醇-聚磷酸酯嵌段共聚物的合成与性质以及对紫杉醇增溶作用的研究

合成了一系列甲氧基聚乙二醇(MPEG)和聚(2-甲氧基乙基亚乙基磷酸酯)(PMOEEP)的两嵌段聚合物MPEG-b-PMOEEP,并研究了该嵌段聚合物对疏水性化疗药物紫杉醇(PTX)的增溶效果.以MPEG为引发剂、异辛酸亚锡为催化剂,对五元环状磷酸酯单体2-甲氧基乙氧基-1,3,2-二氧磷杂环戊烷(MOEEP)进行开环...     

The Soret effect in dilute polymer solutions: influence of chain length, chain stiffness, and solvent quality

Thermal diffusion in dilute polymer solutions is studied by reverse nonequilibrium molecular dynamics. The polymers are represented by a generic bead-spring model. The influence of the solvent quality on the Soret coefficient is investigated. At constant temperature and monomer fraction, a better solvent quality causes a higher affinity for the polymer to the cold region. This may even go to thermal-diffusion-induced phase separation. The sign of the Soret coefficient changes in a symmetric nonideal binary Lennard-Jones solution when the solvent quality switches from good to poor. The known independence of the thermal diffusion coefficients of the molecular weight is reproduced for three groups of polymers with different chain stiffnesses. The thermal diffusion coefficients reach constant values at chain lengths of around two to three times the persistence length. Moreover, rigid polymers have higher Soret coefficients and thermal diffusion coefficients than more flexible polymers.