Noble-metal nanoparticles directly conjugated to globular proteins

We report the synthesis of gold nanoparticles directly conjugated to bovine serum albumin protein by chemical reduction in aqueous solution. Transmission electron microscopy reveals that the gold nanoparticles are well dispersed with an average diameter less than 2 nm, and elemental analysis verifies the composition of the gold-protein conjugates. Infrared spectroscopy confirms that the polypeptide backbone is not cleaved during the conjugation process and that the side chain functional groups remain intact. Raman spectroscopy demonstrates that the disulfide bonds in the conjugated protein are broken and thus are available for interaction with the nanoparticle surface. This synthesis method is a new technique for directly attaching gold nanoparticles to macromolecular proteins.     

NHS-mediated QDs-peptide/protein conjugation and its application for cell labeling

3-Mercaptopropyl acid-stabilized CdTe nanoparticles synthesized in aqueous solution are found to be able to conjugate with peptides or proteins mediated by N-hydroxysulfo-succinimide (NHS) but 1-ethyl-3(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimides hydrochloride (EDC). The reaction time and pH have been optimized. Gel-permeation HPLC was applied following the conjugation, which could quickly and simultaneously detect and purify the quantum dots (QDs) conjugates. The biological activities of QDs conjugates are maintained and give superior results in cell labeling. These results are encouraging regarding the application of QDs molecules for use in living cells, diagnostics and drug delivery.     

Catalytic activity and regeneration property of a Pd nanoparticle encapsulated in a hollow porous carbon sphere for aerobic alcohol oxidation

A core-shell composite consisting of a palladium (Pd) nanoparticle and a hollow carbon shell (Pd@hmC) was employed as a catalyst for aerobic oxidation of various alcohols. The core-shell structure was synthesized by consecutive coatings of Pd nanoparticles with siliceous and carbon layers followed by removal of the intermediate siliceous layer. Structural characterizations using TEM and N(2) adsorption-desorption measurements revealed that Pd@hmC thus-obtained was composed of a Pd nanoparticle core of 3-6 nm in diameter and a hollow carbon shell with well-developed mesopore (ca. 2.5 nm in diameter) and micropore (ca. 0.4-0.8 nm in diameter) systems. When compared to some Pd-supported carbons, Pd@hmC showed a high level of catalytic activity for oxidation of benzyl alcohol into benzaldehyde using atmospheric pressure of O(2) as an oxidant. The Pd@hmC composite also exhibited a high level of catalytic activity for aerobic oxidations of other primary benzylic and allylic alcohols into corresponding aldehydes. The presence of a well-developed pore system in the lateral carbon shell enabled efficient diffusion of both substrates and products to reach the central Pd nanoparticles, leading to such high catalytic activities. This core-shell structure also provided high thermal stability of Pd nanoparticles toward coalescence and/or aggregation due to the physical isolation of each Pd nanoparticle from neighboring particles by the carbon shell: this specific property of Pd@hmC resulted in possible regeneration of catalytic activity for these aerobic oxidations by a high-temperature heat treatment of the sample recovered after catalytic reactions.     

磁性壳聚糖微球对牛血清白蛋白的吸附性能

在微乳液体系中, 以戊二醛为交联剂制备了磁性壳聚糖纳米粒子(Fe₂O₃-CS). 采用透射电子显微镜(TEM)、红外光谱(IR)、振动样品磁强计(VSM)等手段对纳米粒子进行表征. 结果表明, 纳米粒子的粒径在40 nm左右, 分散性良好, 具有较好的磁响应性能. 以碳二亚胺(EDC)为活化剂, 研究了Fe₂O₃-CS纳米粒子对牛血清白蛋白(BSA)分子的吸附性能, 并使用原子力显微镜(AFM)、紫外分光光度计(UV)进行表征. Fe₂O₃-CS粒子对BSA 的吸附大致符合Langmuir吸附模型, 298 K时饱和吸附量约为250 mg·g^-1, 吸附常数为0.007 L·mg^-1. 将BSA-粒子分散在不同pH的缓冲溶液中, 研究BSA-粒子复合物的稳定性. 用聚丙烯酰氨凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)对结果进行表征, 发现在碱性条件下BSA分子能从磁性粒子表面脱附下来.     

Electrodeposition and characterization of Pd nanoparticles doped amorphous hydrogenated carbon films

Palladium (0) nanoparticles incorporated hydrogenated amorphous carbon (Pd/a-C:H) films were synthesized on single crystal silicon (100) substrates by electrochemical deposition route using methanol and camphor as carbon source, and Pd nanoparticles as dopant. The characterization results indicate that Pd nanocrystalline particles with diameter in the range of 1–5 nm dispersed in the amorphous carbon matrix. Compared with pure a-C:H films, the introduction of Pd nanoparticles didn't change the structure of carbon films. At the end, the growth mechanism of the Pd/a-C:H composite films was discussed.     

QD-antibody conjugates via carbodiimide-mediated coupling: a detailed study of the variables involved and a possible new mechanism for the coupling reaction under basic aqueous conditions

A detailed study into the optimization of carbodiimide-mediated coupling of antibodies (Ab) and quantum dots (QD) for use in cellular imaging has been undertaken. This involved the grafting of commercially available carboxyl-modified QDs (Evident Technologies "Lake Placid Blue" Evitag and eBioscience's eflour nanocrystals) with anti-Cdc8 Abs to produce conjugates with specific affinity for fission yeast tropomyosin Cdc8 protein. The water-soluble carbodiimide 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (EDC) was used to activate the QDs prior to their incubation with antibody, and a range of QD-carboxyl/EDC/Ab mole ratios were used in the experiments in attempts to optimize fluorescence and bioaffinity of the conjugate products (EDC to QD-carboxyl-600 nmol/15 pmol to 0.12 nmol/15 pmol and QD to Ab 120 pmol/24 pmol to 120 pmol/1.2 pmol). It was observed that a specific "optimum" ratio of the three reactants was required to produce the most fluorescent and biologically active product and that it was generated at alkaline pH 10.8. Increasing the ratio of Ab to QD produced conjugate which was less fluorescent while reducing the ratio of EDC to QD in the activation step led to increased fluorescence of product. Conjugates were tested for their possession of antibody by measurement of their absorption at OD(280 nm) and for their fluorescence by assay λ(max(em)) at 495 nm. A quantitative assay of the bioactivity of the conjugates was developed whereby a standardized amount of Cdc8 antigen was spotted onto nylon membranes and reacted with products from conjugation reactions in a sandwich-type colormetric assay The "best" conjugate was used in intracellular imaging of yeast Cdc8 protein and produced brighter, higher definition images of fixed yeast cell actin structure than a fluorescein-Ab conjugate routinely produced in our laboratory. The QD-Ab conjugate was also significantly more resistant to photobleaching than the fluorescein-Ab conjugate. Results from other experiments involving EDC, the water-soluble carbodiimide 1-cyclohexyl-3-(2-morpholinoethyl)carbodiimide metho-p-toluenesulphonate (CMC), and EDC.HCl have suggested a new reaction mechanism for EDC coupling under basic aqueous conditions. In summary, a robust understanding of commercial QD-COOH surface chemistry and the variables involved in the materials' efficient conjugation with a bioligand using carbidiimide has been obtained along with an optimized approach for Ab-QD conjugate production. A novel assay has been developed for bioassay of QD-Ab conjugates and a new mechanism for EDC coupling under basic aqueous conditions is proposed.     

Factors influencing the detection limit of the lateral-flow sandwich immunoassay: a case study with potato virus X

Key factors influencing the analyte detection limit of the sandwich immunochromatographic assay (ICA), namely, the size of gold nanoparticles, the antibody concentration, the conjugation pH, and characteristics of membranes, are discussed. The impacts of these factors were quantitatively characterized and compared for the first time using the same antigen (potato virus X). The antibody-colloidal gold conjugates synthesized at pH 9.0-9.5 (the pH was examined in the range from 7.5 to 10.0) and at an antibody concentration of 15 μg/mL (the concentration was tested from 10 to 100 μg/mL) demonstrated maximum binding with the analyte. The relationship between the size of gold nanoparticles and the ICA detection limit was determined. The detection limit decreases from 80 to 3 ng/mL (for antibodies with K (D) = 1.0 × 10(-9) M, data were obtained using a BIAcore X instrument) for a series of particles with a diameter from 6.4 to 33.4 nm (electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering data). In the case of larger particles (52 nm in diameter), the detection limit increases and reaches 9 ng/mL. A 10 mM phosphate buffer, pH 8, and a 50 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7, were the conditions of choice for the deposition of reactants. Taking into account these facts, we developed a lateral-flow test system for the rapid (10 min) detection of potato virus X in plant leaves. The ICA provided a visual detection limit of 3 ng/mL. In the case of the instrumental processing, potato virus X can be determined in the concentration range from 3 to 300 ng/mL with a detection limit 2 ng/mL.     

Palladium nanoparticles encapsulated in a metal-organic framework as efficient heterogeneous catalysts for direct C2 arylation of indoles

Highly dispersed palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) encapsulated in the mesoporous cages of the metal-organic framework (MOF) MIL-101(Cr) have been prepared by using the wetness impregnation method. The Pd NPs were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), N(2) adsorption, transmission electron microscopy, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The particles size ((2.6±0.5) nm) of the obtained Pd NPs was in good agreement with the cage diameters (2.9 and 3.4 nm) of the MOF. The resulting Pd/MIL-101(Cr) catalyst exhibited extremely high catalytic activities in the direct C2 arylation of substituted indoles by using only 0.1 mol% of the Pd catalyst. Moreover, the catalyst is easily recoverable and can be reused several times without leaching into solution and loss of activity. The combination of the highly dispersible Pd NPs within the accessible mesoporous cages and the favorable adsorption of the aryl halides on MIL-101 are suspected to be the main reasons for the observed high activities of the Pd/MIL-101(Cr) catalyst in the direct C2 arylation of indoles.     

Effect of Pd nanoparticle size on the catalytic hydrogenation of allyl alcohol

We report a particle size dependence for the rate of hydrogenation of allyl alcohol using 1.3-1.9 nm Pd dendrimer-encapsulated nanoparticle (DEN) catalysts. For particles with diameters of <1.5 nm and containing <147 Pd atoms, the modulation in catalytic activity is due to the electronic properties of the particle. For the larger particles, 1.5-1.9 nm in diameter and containing an average of 147-250 Pd atoms, the size effect is a result of geometrical constraints. Specifically, the hydrogenation reaction is shown to occur preferentially on the face atoms of the larger nanoparticles.     

Use of a polycation spacer for noncovalent immobilization of albumin on thermally modified virus particles

The noncovalent immobilization of the protein bovine serum albumin on the surface of spherical nanoparticles 330 ± 60 nm in diameter is described. These nanoparticles are prepared by the thermal treatment of tobacco mosaic virus and are preliminarily covered with a layer of the cationic polymer poly(N-ethyl-4-vinylpyridinium bromide). The electrostatic adsorption of the polycation on the surface of negatively charged spherical nanoparticles (on average 1.2 × 10⁴ macromolecules per particle) is accompanied by recharging of the surface; as a result, the negatively charged protein bovine serum albumin can be adsorbed on it in an amount of 1.7 × 10⁴ molecules per particle. The modification of spherical nanoparticles with the polycation and protein does not cause the aggregation of particles. The spherical-nanoparticle-polycation-protein ternary complex demonstrates increased stability in salt solutions relative to the spherical-nanoparticle-polycation binary complex. Because of the simplicity of the method used to modify the surface of spherical nanoparticles, it shows promise for preparation of functionally active complexes.     

Spontaneous formation of core/shell bimetallic nanoparticles: a calorimetric study

We showed recently that low entropy core/shell structured nanoparticles form spontaneously from the physical mixture of a dispersion of Ag nanoparticles and that of another noble metal (Rh, Pd, or Pt) at room temperature. Here we use isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and show that the initial step of such a spontaneous process is strongly exothermic. When the alcohol dispersion of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP)-protected Rh nanoparticles (average diameter 2.3 nm) was titrated into the alcoholic dispersion of PVP-protected Ag nanoparticles, a strong exothermic enthalpy change, DeltaH, was observed: DeltaH = -908 kJ/mol for Ag(S) nanoparticle (average diameter 10.8 nm) and -963 kJ/mol for Ag(L) nanoparticles (average diameter 22.5 nm). The strength of interaction increases in the order of Rh/Ag > Pd/Ag > Pt/Ag. This strong exothermic interaction is considered as a driving force to from low entropy bimetallic nanoparticles by simple mixing of two kinds of monometallic nanoparticles. We show also that exothermic interactions occur between a pair of noble metal nanoparticles themselves by using ITC.     

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.     

The influence of laser wavelength and fluence on palladium nanoparticles produced by pulsed laser ablation in deionized water

Homogeneous spherical palladium (Pd) nanoparticles were synthesized by pulsed laser ablation of a solid Pd foil target submerged in deionized water, without the addition of any external chemical surfactant. The influence of laser wavelength (355, 532, and 1064 nm) and fluence (8.92, 12.74, and 19.90 J/cm²) on nucleation, growth, and aggregation of Pd nanoparticles were systematically studied. Microstructural and optical properties of the obtained nanoparticles were studied by field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and UV–vis spectroscopy. FETEM micrographs indicate that the average nanocrystallite sizes are relatively low (3–6 nm) and homogeneous for the particles synthesized at the laser wavelengths of 355 and 532 nm. However, at a laser wavelength of 1064 nm, the average nanocrystallite size is relatively large and inhomogeneous in nature. Moreover, we observe that the mean diameter and production rate of particles increases with an increase in laser fluence. The selected area electron diffraction patterns obtained from isolated Pd nanoparticles show the characteristic diffused electron diffraction rings of polycrystalline materials with a face-centered cubic structure. Absorbance spectrum of the synthesized nanoparticle solution shows a broad absorption band, which corresponds to a typical inter-band transition of a metallic system, indicating the production of pure palladium nanoparticles. The present work provides new insights into the effect of laser wavelength and fluence on the control of size and aggregation of palladium nanoparticles in the liquid medium.     

碳纳米管上原位沉积钯-钴-镍纳米颗粒及其对乙醇氧化的电活性

以水合肼为还原剂,在水和乙醇的混合溶液中制备多壁碳纳米管(MWCNT)负载的纳米镍(Ni/MWCNT)和纳米镍钴(Ni-Co/MWCNT)颗粒,然后将它们分别与氯化钯溶液反应,形成的钯纳米颗粒原位沉积在MWCNT表面,从而得到MWCNT负载的Pd-Ni/MWCNT和Pd-Ni-Co/MWCNT催化剂。SEM和TEM图像显示,MWCNT上的催化剂颗粒是由5~10 nm的小颗粒团聚而成的30~100 nm的大颗粒,三金属催化剂的粒径比双金属的粒径小,在MWCNT上的分散度更高。ICP和EDS分析显示,Pd直接还原并包覆在纳米镍和纳米镍钴表面;采用循环伏安和计时电流技术,研究了催化剂在碱性溶液中对乙醇氧化的电催化活性,结果表明,Pd-Ni-Co/MWCNT催化剂对乙醇氧化具有强的电催化活性,乙醇氧化对应的峰电流密度达101.8 mA·cm^-2,并且催化剂催化活性稳定。     

碳纳米管上原位沉积钯-钴-镍纳米颗粒及其对乙醇氧化的电活性

以水合肼为还原剂,在水和乙醇的混合溶液中制备多壁碳纳米管(MWCNT)负载的纳米镍(Ni/MWCNT)和纳米镍钴(Ni-Co/MWCNT)颗粒,然后将它们分别与氯化钯溶液反应,形成的钯纳米颗粒原位沉积在MWCNT表面,从而得到MWCNT负载的PdNi/MWCNT和Pd-Ni-Co/MWCNT催化剂。SEM和TEM图像显示,MWCNT上的催化剂颗粒是由5~10 nm的小颗粒团聚而成的30~100 nm的大颗粒,三金属催化剂的粒径比双金属的粒径小,在MWCNT上的分散度更高。ICP和EDS分析显示,Pd直接还原并包覆在纳米镍和纳米镍钴表面;采用循环伏安和计时电流技术,研究了催化剂在碱性溶液中对乙醇氧化的电催化活性,结果表明,Pd-Ni-Co/MWCNT催化剂对乙醇氧化具有强的电催化活性,乙醇氧化对应的峰电流密度达101.8 m A·cm~(-2),并且催化剂催化活性稳定。     

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.     

Monomodal polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles of PDADMAC/Poly(styrenesulfonate): preparation and protein interaction

The binding of the model proteins HSA, LYZ and MYO to PEC nanoparticles is reported. PEC particles were prepared by mixing solutions of PDADMAC either with PSS or PMA-MS, followed by consecutive centrifugation. Monomodal anionic (PEC-1.50) and cationic (PEC-0.66) PEC particles were obtained using non-stoichiometric mixing ratios. PEC/protein conjugates were prepared by adding charged protein solutions to dispersions of respective like charged PEC particles, followed by one centrifugation step. Mixing proteins and PEC particles under attractive conditions led to flocculation of the dispersion. From CD, DLS and AFM the following trend for protein binding at PEC particles under repulsive conditions was obtained: HSA/PEC-1.50 > MYO/PEC-1.50 > LYZ/PEC-0.66. Protein uptakes up to 0.33 g x g(-1) (protein/PEC) (CD) and particle diameter enlargements up to 13 nm (AFM) were obtained at c(PROT) = 0.091 mg . mL(-1). Furthermore, novel spin coated films of PEC particles were interacted with proteins under both repulsive and attractive conditions. In-situ ATR FT-IR spectroscopy revealed that the adsorbed amount of HSA and LYZ under attractive conditions was significantly higher than under repulsive ones, which is analogous to protein adsorption at polyelectrolyte multilayers terminated either by polycation or polyanion. Similarly to the dispersed PEC/protein conjugates, under repulsive conditions the uptake of HSA was higher compared to LYZ. The shown protein uptake under repulsive conditions is related to concepts of mild enzyme or protein binding at nonbiogenic substrates.     

Reactions of Pd β-Diketonate Complexes with Triethylaluminium

Reactions of Pd(Acac)₂ and Pd(Acac)₂PPh₃ complexes with triethylaluminium in an inert atmosphere are studied by the NMR and IR, electronic microscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction methods. The final products of conversion of the initial Pd(II) complexes are the Pd(0) nanoparticles with the predominant diameter 2–4 nm. The main factors determining the size of Pd(0) particles and the nature of the ligand shell are considered.     

Interactions of O(2) with Pd nanoparticles on alpha-Al(2)O(3)(0001) at low and high O(2) pressures

The interaction of O(2) with small Pd particles (2-10 nm) supported on an alpha-Al(2)O(3)(0001) single crystal under both ultrahigh vacuum (UHV) and high-pressure conditions has been studied by temperature-programmed desorption (TPD), temperature-programmed low-energy ion scattering (TP-LEIS), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). A low O(2) exposure (30 L) at 500 K leads to surface oxygen adatoms on the Pd nanoparticles, which desorb in TPD as O(2) in a peak at approximately 880 K. Surface O adatoms on the smallest Pd particles move to subsurface sites starting at 400 K, and they almost all move subsurface by approximately 750 K, desorbing mainly at considerably higher temperature. The dominant oxygen species above 700 K is subsurface, implying that it is more stable than oxygen adatoms on Pd. Exposures of the Pd nanoparticles to 25 Torr O(2) at 373-473 K readily convert the Pd to a species whose Pd XPS peak shifts by the same amount as the binding energy difference between bulk Pd and bulk PdO. We attribute this to PdO nanoparticles (or a thin film of PdO on or under the Pd for the larger particles). The decomposition of the PdO on these nanoparticles to Pd in an equilibrium O(2) pressure of 10-7 Torr does not occur until approximately 750 K, or approximately 200 K higher than the equilibrium decomposition of bulk PdO. This is attributed to the higher energy of Pd nanoparticles compared to bulk Pd and, for the larger particles, to the adhesion energy of the PdO film to the Pd, both of which stabilize the PdO on these Pd nanoparticles relative to bulk PdO. This PdO-like film on the larger particles may be similar to the ordered oxide thin film previously reported to form on Pd(111) but may also reside at the alpha-Al(2)O(3) interface and be partially stabilized by adhesion to this interface.     

Versatile Synthesis of Polyaniline/Pd Nanoparticles and Catalytic Application

Polyaniline/Pd nanoparticles were synthesized through two approaches. “Direct reduction approach” was revealed to be a simple method to prepare small (2–7 nm) and dispersed polyaniline/Pd nanoparticles via reduction with sodium borohydride. On the other hand, “template approach” was developed to provide a versatile route to small and well-dispersed nanoparticles (1–4 nm, average diameter = 2.4 nm) with high Pd density due to pre-organization of Pd(II) species on polyaniline into the corresponding d,π-conjugated complex. Thus-obtained nanoparticles worked as an efficient redox catalyst for oxidative coupling reaction of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol.