Morphological change of gold-dendrimer nanocomposites by laser irradiation

Gold-dendrimer nanocomposites are prepared in aqueous solutions in the presence of poly(amidoamine)dendrimers (PAMAM) (generation 3 and 5) or poly(propyleneimine)dendrimers (PPI) (generation 3 and 4) by wet chemical NaBH(4) method. Thus prepared gold-dendrimer nanocomposites are irradiated by laser at 532 nm. UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy reveal that the gold nanoparticles grow with the laser irradiation time as well as the fluence of the laser; in particular, the gold nanoparticles prepared at lower concentrations of PAMAM dendrimer as well as lower generations of PAMAM grow significantly. On the other hand, in the case of PPI dendrimers, the gold nanoparticles hardly grow by irradiation. In addition, dynamic light-scattering measurements show that the laser irradiation markedly promotes the association of the gold-PAMAM G3 dendrimer nanocomposites compared to that of the gold-PAMAM G5 dendrimer nanocomposites, while the sizes of association for the gold-PPI G3, G4 dendrimer nanocomposites hardly change by laser irradiation.     

Investigation of thermal behaviour of hybrid nanostructures based on Fe2O3 and PAMAM dendrimers

Dendrimers or biofunctionalized dendrimers can be assembled onto magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles to stabilize or functionalize inorganic nanoparticles. Carboxylated poly(amidoamine) PAMAM dendrimers (generation 4.5) have been used for the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles, resulting nanocomposites with potential biomedical applications. The present paper aims to systematically investigate the thermal behaviour of nanostructured hybrids based on ferric oxide and PAMAM dendrimers, by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. The novelty consists both in synthesis procedure of hybrid nanostructures as well as in DSC approach of these nanocomposites. For the first time, we propose a new method to prepare Fe₂O₃??dendrimer nanocomposite, using soft chemical process at high pressure. Commercial PAMAM dendrimers with carboxylic groups on its surface were used. When high pressure is applied, polymeric structures suffer morphological changes leading to hybrid nanostructures' formation. In the same time, crystallinity of inorganic nanoparticles is provided. DSC results showed an increase in thermal stability of composites as compared to commercial dendrimers. This could be due to the formation of strong interactions between ferric oxide and carboxyl groups, as confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Electron microscopy analysis (SEM/EDX) and size measurements were performed to demonstrate the existence of nanosized particles.     

Effects of various thiol molecules added on morphology of dendrimer-gold nanocomposites

Interactions between poly(amidoamine) dendrimer (PAMAM)-gold nanocomposites and alkanethiols and between the former nanocomposites and thiol-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrons in ethyl acetate were investigated by adding alkanethiols, such as 1-propanethiol and 1,3-propanedithiol, and thiol-modified poly(amidoamine) dendrons, generations 0.5 and 2.5 (G0.5-SH and G2.5-SH). The PAMAM dendrimers with surface methyl ester groups used were generations 1.5 and 5.5 (G1.5 and G5.5). The mean particle sizes of PAMAM-gold nanocomposites were about 2.1 for G1.5 and 2.4 nm for G5.5. In both nanocomposite systems where 1-propanethiol and 1,3-propanedithiol were added, the mean particle size was about 4 nm, twice that of the systems where these thiols were not added. Increasing the addition of 1,3-propanedithiol made the average particle size smaller for both nanocomposites systems. To compare with alkanethiol, thiol-modified poly(amidoamine) dendron with a highly branched structure on one side was synthesized. Using G2.5-SH as a protective agent, dendron-gold nanocomposites with mean diameters of 3 to 4 nm were obtained. The difference in particle size was seen only when the combination of PAMAM-gold nanocomposites and thiol-modified dendron was less sterically dense, modified dendron (G0.5-SH). The mechanisms for morphology changes in the dendrimer-gold nanocomposites by the addition of these thiols are discussed.     

Preparation of PAMAM- and PPI-metal (silver, platinum, and palladium) nanocomposites and their catalytic activities for reduction of 4-nitrophenol

Dendrimer-metal (silver, platinum, and palladium) nanocomposites are prepared in aqueous solutions containing poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers with surface amino groups (generations 3, 4, and 5) or poly(propyleneimine) (PPI) dendrimers with surface amino groups (generations 2, 3, and 4). The particle sizes of the metal nanoparticles obtained are almost independent of the generation as well as the concentration of the dendrimer for both the PAMAM and the PPI dendrimers; the average sizes of silver, platinum, and palladium nanoparticles are 5.6-7.5, 1.2-1.6, and 1.6-2.0 nm, respectively. It is suggested that the dendrimer-metal nanocomposites are formed by adsorbing the dendrimers on the metal nanoparticles. Studies of the reduction reaction of 4-nitrophenol by these nanocomposites show that the rate constants are very similar between PAMAM and PPI dendrimer-silver nanocomposites, whereas the rate constants for the PPI dendrimer-platinum and -palladium nanocomposites are greater than those for the corresponding PAMAM dendrimer nanocomposites. In addition, it is found that the rate constants for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol involving all the dendrimer-metal nanocomposites decrease with an increase in the dendrimer concentrations, and the catalytic activity of dendrimer-palladium nanocomposites is highest.     

磁性Fe_3O_4@PS@PAMAM-Ag复合催化粒子的制备及其可再生催化性能(英文)

采用聚苯乙烯(PS)包裹Fe3O4磁性纳米粒子,制得Fe3O4@PS复合微球,以此作为磁性载体,通过微球表面的羧基将聚酰胺-胺类树形大分子(PAMAM)连接到磁性载体上,然后使Ag纳米粒子镶嵌在树形分子层中,制得可再生的金属复合催化粒子Fe3O4@PS@PAMAM-Ag.并采用红外光谱、扫描电镜、电感耦合等离子体质谱(ICP-MS)和X射线光电子能谱等方法对复合催化粒子进行了表征,结果表明,树形分子可以较好地分散和稳定金属Ag纳米粒子,所制复合催化粒子表面Ag含量为1.64%,具有较高的催化还原对硝基苯酚的活性.同时,利用外加磁场可以方便快捷地从反应体系中分离出来,继续用于下一次反应中,复合催化粒子循环使用6次后,仍保持完全的催化性能.     

Site-selective assembly and reorganization of gold nanoparticles along aminosilane-covered nanolines prepared on indium-tin oxide

We have fabricated gold nanoparticle (AuNP) arrays on indium-tin oxide (ITO) substrates in a nearly one-dimensional fashion. AuNPs were site-selectively immobilized on ITO of which the surface had been patterned by a nanolithography process based on scanning probe microscopy. The fabricated nanoscale lines covered with aminosilane self-assembled monolayer served as chemisorption sites for citrate-stabilized AuNPs of 20 nm in diameter, accordingly, AuNP nanolines with a thickness of single nanoparticle diameter were spontaneously assembled on the lines. In this 1D array, the AuNPs were almost separated from each other due to the electrostatic repulsion between their negatively charged surface layers. Furthermore, a reorganization process of the immobilized AuNP arrays has been successfully demonstrated by replacing each AuNP's surface layer from citric acid to dodecanethiol. By this process, the AuNPs lost their electrostatic repulsion and became hydrophobic so as to be attracted to each other through hydrophobic interaction, resulting in reorganization of the AuNP array. By repeating the deposition and reorganization cycle, AuNPs were more densely packed. The optical absorption peak of the arrays due to their plasmonic resonance was found to shift from 526 to 590 nm in wavelength with repeating cycles, indicating that the resonance manner was changed from the single nanoparticle mode to the multiple particle mode with interparticle coupling.     

以聚酰胺-胺树形分子为模板制备AgI纳米簇

本文以聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)树形分子为模板,原位制备AgI纳米簇.系统地研究了AgI纳米簇制备过程中各种反应条件如树形分子端基、反应时间、Ag⁺与PAMAM摩尔比等对AgI纳米簇粒径的影响,分别用紫外-可见光谱、荧光光谱、透射电镜等对所制备的纳米簇进行表征.在相同的条件下,以G4.5-COOH₃为模板较以G5.0-NH₂为模板制备的AgI纳米簇粒径小、分布均匀,这主要取决于G4.5-COOCH₃PAMAM树形分子所起的“内模板”作用.G4.5-COOH₃树形分子浓度为1×10^-5mol/L,Ag⁺与树形分子摩尔比为30:1时所制备的AgI纳米簇的粒径分布均匀、稳定性好,室温避光可稳定存在两个月以上.     

Preparation of gold-, gold/silver-dendrimer nanocomposites in the presence of benzoin in ethanol by UV irradiation

Gold- and gold/silver-dendrimer nanocomposites have been synthesized by UV irradiation of their salts dissolved in ethanol containing dendrimers. As dendrimers, poly(amidomaine) PAMAM dendrimers and poly(propyleneimine) PPI dendrimers of various generations were used. The photoreduction of their salts is greatly accelerated by using benzoin as a photoinitiator. The sizes of gold in the nanocomposites are affected by the concentration of benzoin as well as the concentration of dendrimers, but are hardly changed with the kind of dendrimers. For gold/silver-dendrimer nanocomposites, the absorption spectra of gold/silver nanoparticles in the nanocomposites are very similar to the theoretical spectra of gold/silver alloy nanoparticles, suggesting the formation of gold/silver alloy nanoparticles. From the comparison of TEM and DLS measurements, it is found that the metal-dendrimer nanocomposites consist of metal nanoparticles covering by dendrimer molecules.     

Didodecyldimethylammonium bromide lipid bilayer-protected gold nanoparticles: synthesis, characterization, and self-assembly

Didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB) lipid bilayer-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), which were stable and hydrophilic, were synthesized by in situ reduction of HAuCl(4) with NaBH(4) in an aqueous medium in the presence of DDAB. As-prepared nanoparticles were characterized by UV-vis spectra, transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. All these data supported the formation of AuNPs. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis data revealed that DDAB existed in a bilayer structure formed on the particle surface, resulting in a positively charged particle surface. The FTIR spectra also indicated that the DDAB bilayer coated on the surface of AuNPs was probably in the ordered gel phase with some end-gauche defects. On the basis of electrostatic interactions between such AuNPs and anionic polyelectrolyte poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), we successfully fabricated (PSS/AuNP)(n)() multilayers on a cationic polyelectrolyte poly(ethylenimine) coated indium tin oxide substrate via the layer-by-layer self-assembly technique and characterized as-formed multilayers with UV-vis spectra and atomic force microscopy.     

Synthesis of P(MBA-co-MAA) microsphere-grafted PAMAM dendrimers and their application as supporters for gold nanoparticles

Poly(N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) microsphere-supported polyamidoamine (PAMAM) dendrimers up to third generation (G) were grown onto the surface as well as the gel-layer of P(MBA-co-MAA) microspheres by a divergent method. The P(MBA-co-MAA) supported PAMAM dendrimers were used as heterogeneous stabilizers for the gold nanoparticles by an in situ reduction of HAuCl₄ via the efficient coordination interaction between the amino groups of the supported PAMAM dendrimers and the gold atoms. The effects of the generations of the P(MBA-co-MAA) supported PAMAM dendrimer on the loadings and the catalytic activity of the heterogeneous Au nanoparticles were systematically investigated with the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol as a model reaction.     

Size-dependence enhancement in electrocatalytic activity of NiHCF-gold nanocomposite: potential application in electrochemical sensing

A nanocomposite of nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) was made with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) of two different sizes (20 and 80 nm as AuNP(red) and AuNP(blue) respectively), synthesized via 3-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane mediated reduction of 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane treated gold chloride and characterized by scanning electron microscopy and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The size of AuNPs was found to influence the two pairs of reversible voltammetric peaks of cation rich and cation deficient NiHCF. Such influence was identified from cyclic voltammetry of nanocomposite modified electrodes and applications during electrochemical sensing of two different analytes hydrazine and glutathione (GSH). Electrochemical sensing of hydrazine was based on cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) found as a function of sodium deficient NiHCF and was greatly amplified with increasing AuNPs nanogeometry. NiHCF alone is not an efficient electrode material for GSH analysis at the level required, however, the presence of AuNPs introduces size dependent sensitive and selective detection of GSH. GSH sensing based on linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was found to be mediated by the potassium rich form of NiHCF redox couple in the presence of AuNPs. The results justified electrochemical detection of these analytes based on a mediated mechanism and support the role of AuNPs for facilitated electrochemical activity of NiHCF based systems as a function of nanogeometry.     

An ultrasensitive hydrogen peroxide biosensor based on electrocatalytic synergy of graphene–gold nanocomposite, CdTe–CdS core–shell quantum dots and gold nanoparticles

We first reported an ultrasensitive hydrogen peroxide biosensor in this work. The biosensor was fabricated by coating graphene–gold nanocomposite (G–AuNP), CdTe–CdS core–shell quantum dots (CdTe–CdS), gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in sequence on the surface of gold electrode (GE). Cyclic voltammetry and differential pulse voltammetry were used to investigate electrochemical performances of the biosensor. Since promising electrocatalytic synergy of G–AuNP, CdTe–CdS and AuNPs towards hydrogen peroxide was achieved, the biosensor displayed a high sensitivity, low detection limit (S/N = 3) (3.2 × 10⁻¹¹ M), wide calibration range (from 1 × 10⁻¹⁰ M to 1.2 × 10⁻⁸ M) and good long-term stability (20 weeks). Moreover, the effects of omitting G–AuNP, CdTe–CdS and AuNP were also examined. It was found that sensitivity of the biosensor is more 11-fold better if G–AuNP, CdTe–CdS and AuNPs are used. This could be ascribed to improvement of the conductivity between graphene nanosheets in the G–AuNP due to introduction of the AuNPs, ultrafast charge transfer from CdTe–CdS to the graphene sheets and AuNP due to unique electrochemical properties of the CdTe–CdS, and good biocompatibility of the AuNPs for horseradish peroxidase. The biosensor is of best sensitivity in all hydrogen peroxide biosensors based on graphene and its composites up to now.     

聚酰胺-胺树状分子接枝到方法修饰多壁碳纳米管

采用聚酰胺-胺树状分子(PAMAM)“接枝到”这一温和而简单易行的方法修饰多壁碳纳米管(MWCNTs),制备了一种树状分子/碳纳米管(MWCNTs-g-PAMAM)纳米复合材料。在水、甲醇和乙醇等极性溶剂中,该复合材料具有很好的分散性。通过傅立叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)、X-射线光电子能谱(XPS)、热重分析(TGA)和透射电子显微镜(TEM)等对MWCNTs-g-PAMAM纳米复合材料进行了表征。FTIR表明接枝修饰是PAMAM与MWCNTs的共价键结合,TGA数据表明PAMAM成功修饰于MWCNTs侧壁,且接枝到MWCNTs上PAMAM的量随其代数(G1.0～G4.0)的不同而不同,具体顺序为G2.0＞G1.0≈G3.0＞G4.0.     

PAMAM树形分子与Cd2＋的配位作用研究及CdS/PAMAM纳米复合材料的制备与表征

CdS半导体纳米簇具有独特的光、电性能, 如何制备均匀分散的、能够稳定存在的CdS纳米簇是目前的研究热点之一. 以聚酰胺-胺(PAMAM)树形分子为模板, 原位合成了CdS纳米簇. 首先用UV-Vis分光光度法研究了与树形分子的配位机理, 得出G4.5和G5.0的平均饱和配位数分别为16和34, 并发现在G4.5PAMAM树形分子中Cd^2＋主要与最外层叔胺基配位, 在G5.0PAMAM树形分子中Cd^2＋主要与最外层伯胺基配位. 酯端基的G4.5的模板作用要明显优于胺端基的G5.0. 通过改变Cd^2＋与G4.5树形分子的摩尔比可以得到不同粒径的CdS纳米簇. 溶液的pH值对CdS纳米簇影响很大, pH在7.0左右制备的CdS纳米簇粒径小而均匀, 且溶液稳定性高. 用UV-Vis分光光度计和TEM对CdS纳米簇的大小和形貌进行了表征. 结果表明TEM观测CdS纳米簇的粒径要大于用Brus公式的估算值.     

Effect of the surface functional groups of dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles on the improvement of PCR

PCR has been identified as one of the most important tools in molecular biology and clinical medicine. Improvement of the specificity and efficiency of PCR is often required, and it still remains a great challenge. Here, we introduce the use of dendrimer-entrapped gold nanoparticles (Au DENPs) with different terminal groups prepared using poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of generation 5 (G5) as a novel class of enhancers to improve the specificity and efficiency of PCR amplification. We show that the optimum concentrations of all the tested Au DENPs are lower than those of the corresponding PAMAM dendrimers without gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). For amine-terminated [(Au(0) )(51.2) -G5.NH(2) ] DENPs, the optimum required concentration is slightly lower than that of G5.NH(2) dendrimers, whereas for glycidol-modified [(Au(0) )(51.2) -G5.NGlyOH] and acetylated [(Au(0) )(51.2) -G5.NHAc] DENPs, the optimum required concentrations are one and three magnitude lower than the corresponding dendrimers, respectively. Our results suggest that the entrapment of AuNPs within the dendrimer interior helps to reserve the 3D spherical morphology of dendrimers, allowing for enhanced interaction with the PCR components. Simultaneously, because of the existence of thermal conductive AuNPs, the enhanced local heat transfer rate may afford decreased chances of mispairing between primers and templates, which is beneficial for enhancing the PCR specificity and efficiency. Therefore, the use of Au DENPs as a novel class of PCR enhancers may enable both improved interaction with the PCR components and the thermal conductivity, which allow them to be used for enhancing different error-prone PCR systems.     

Voltammetric and conductometric behavior of nanocomposites of polyaniline and gold nanoparticles prepared by layer-by-layer technique

Multilayer nanocomposites from polyaniline (PANI) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were formed by layer-by-layer deposition. The formation of PANI–AuNPs multilayer structures was monitored by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Each deposited bilayer of PANI–AuNPs led to a monotonous and almost linear increase in both optical absorbance and the first current peak of PANI oxidation. The prepared multilayer nanocomposites were characterized by in situ conductivity measurements at different pH and potential and by transmission electron microscopy. Finally, chemosensitive properties of the new material based on the intrinsic affinity of gold nanoparticles were studied. Changes in the film resistance on exposure to vapors of mercury and sulfur-containing compounds were observed.     

Direct force measurements between adlayers consisting of poly(amidoamine) dendrimers with primary amino groups or quaternary ammonium groups

Adsorption of poly(amidoamine) generation 3 (PAMAM G3) dendrimer with surface amino groups or PAMAM G0 dendrimer with quaternary ammonium groups (C8qbG0) onto glass has been studied by colloidal probe atomic force microscopy. The adlayer-adlayer interactions for these adsorbates are quite different despite the fact that they are almost equal in the hydrodynamic radius. In aqueous PAMAM G3 dendrimer solutions the electrostatic repulsion is predominant. The conformation of the adsorbed layer is flat and the protrusion of the individual dendrimers is negligible. On the other hand, C8qbG0 behaves as a surfactant and the layered structure of C8qbG0 is expected to be a patchy bilayer. Dispersion stability of silica suspensions with the adsorption of these dendrimers can be correlated with the force data obtained.     

低代端酯基PAMAM树形分子存在下银纳米颗粒的制备

在低代端酯基PAMAM树形分子(G1.5-COOCH₃)存在时，用氢气还原AgNO₃制备出银纳米颗粒。用透射电子显微镜(TEM)，电子衍射(ED)，紫外-可见吸收光谱(UV-Vis)和红外光谱(FT-IR)对所制备的银纳米颗粒进行了表征。实验结果表明，当用氢气作为还原剂时，以低代树形分子为保护剂，通过优化还原条件，可成功制备尺寸稳定、均一的银纳米颗粒，其粒径为2.9±0.5 nm，且所制备的银纳米颗粒的粒径分布较窄。根据树形分子的理论尺寸与制备的银纳米颗粒的粒径关系，可推断出大多数的银纳米颗粒是由多个树形分子所包围而稳定存在。     

Interaction forces between poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers adsorbed on gold surfaces

Interaction forces between two gold surfaces with adsorbed poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (generations G3.0 and G5.0) have been investigated using colloidal probe atomic force microscopy (AFM). In the absence of dendrimers or at their low concentrations, an attractive force derived from the van der Waals interaction was observed. On the other hand, this attractive interaction changed to repulsion with increasing dendrimer concentration. The origin of the repulsion can be attributed to either an electric double layer interaction or a steric effect of the adsorbed dendrimers, depending on the concentration of dendrimer. The steric hindrance was also influenced by the generation of the dendrimer; the force-detectable distance in the presence of PAMAM G5.0 dendrimer was slightly longer than that in the presence of G3.0 dendrimer. In order to estimate the occupied area of each dendrimer adsorbed on gold, quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) measurement was also carried out.     

Click‐Conjugation of Nanogold‐Functionalized PAMAM Dendrimer: Toward a Novel Electrochemical Detection Platform

This work reports a new electrochemical monitoring platform for sensitive detection of Cu²⁺ coupling click chemistry with nanogold‐functionalized PAMAM dendrimer (AuNP‐PAMAM). The system involved an alkyne‐modified carbon electrode and an azide‐functionalized AuNP‐PAMAM. Initially, the added Cu²⁺ was reduced to Cu⁺ by the ascorbate, and then the azide‐modified AuNP‐PAMAM was covalently conjugated to the electrode via Cu⁺‐catalyzed azide‐alkyne click reaction. The carried AuNPs accompanying PAMAM dendrimer could be directly monitored by stripping voltammetry after acidic pretreatment. By introduction of high‐loading PAMAM dendrimer with gold nanoparticles, as low as 2.8 pM Cu²⁺ (ppt) could be detected, which was 125‐fold lower than that of gold nanoparticle‐based labeling strategy. The method exhibited high specificity toward target Cu²⁺ against other potentially interfering ions, and was applicable for monitoring Cu²⁺ in drinking water with satisfactory results.