Bionanoconjugates of tyrosinase and peptide-derivatised gold nanoparticles for biosensing of phenolic compounds

Bionanoconjugates of the enzyme tyrosinase (TYR) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalised with a peptide (CALNN) were produced in solution and characterised. The formation of stable TYR–AuNP:CALNN bionanoconjugates (BNCs) was supported by a decrease of the surface charge of the BNCs as determined by ζ-potential and an increase in hydrodynamic diameter as determined by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). UV/Vis studies of pH-induced aggregation revealed distinct protonation patterns for the BNCs when compared with AuNP:CALNN alone, further substantiating BNC formation. Activity studies of the BNCs for the reduction of di-phenols in solution indicated that TYR not only remains active after conjugation, but interestingly its activity in the BNCs is higher than for the free enzyme. In conclusion, AuNP:CALNN can provide a suitable platform for the immobilisation of TYR, leading to BNCs with increased enzyme activity and a wider pH working range, with promising uses in electrochemical biosensors for the detection of mono- and di-phenolic compounds.     

Sonication-assisted layer-by-layer deposition of gold nanoparticles for highly conductive gold patterns

Sonication-assisted layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) was carried out in an attempt to prepare highly conductive gold patterns on polyimide substrates. First, sonication time was optimized with GNPs (12.8 nm) whose size was large enough to be analyzed by FE-SEM in order to evaluate the surface coverage. Next, multilayer formation (4, 8 and 12 layer) was confirmed using ethanedithiol (EDT) as linker molecules under optimized conditions by measuring their UV absorption, near-IR (NIR) transmittance, thickness, and electrical conductivity. Finally, 20-layer films using small GNPs (2.5 nm) were prepared with or without patterning, followed by sintering at 150 °C for 1 h, which provided clean gold patterns with high electrical conductivity (2.5 × 10⁵ Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis,characterization, and in vitro biological evaluation of highly stable diversely functionalized superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles

In this article, we report the design and synthesis of a series of well-dispersed superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) using chitosan as a surface modifying agent to develop a potential T ₂ contrast probe for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The amine, carboxyl, hydroxyl, and thiol functionalities were introduced on chitosan-coated magnetic probe via simple reactions with small reactive organic molecules to afford a series of biofunctionalized nanoparticles. Physico-chemical characterizations of these functionalized nanoparticles were performed by TEM, XRD, DLS, FTIR, and VSM. The colloidal stability of these functionalized iron oxide nanoparticles was investigated in presence of phosphate buffer saline, high salt concentrations and different cell media for 1 week. MRI analysis of human cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines treated with nanoparticles elucidated that the amine-functionalized nanoparticles exhibited higher amount of signal darkening and lower T ₂ relaxation in comparison to the others. The cellular internalization efficacy of these functionalized SPIONs was also investigated with HeLa cancer cell line by magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS) and fluorescence microscopy and results established selectively higher internalization efficacy of amine-functionalized nanoparticles to cancer cells. These positive attributes demonstrated that these nanoconjugates can be used as a promising platform for further in vitro and in vivo biological evaluations.     

Laser-induced synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their conjugation with protein

Partially oxidized spherical silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) of different size are prepared by pulsed laser ablation in water and directly conjugated to protein S-ovalbumin for the first time and characterized by various optical techniques. UV–Visible spectrum of AgNPs showed localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peak at 396 nm which red shift after protein addition. Further the increased concentration of AgNPs resulted a decrease in intensity and broadening of S-ovalbumin peak (278 nm), which can be related to the formation of protein NPs complex caused by the partial adsorption of S-ovalbumin on the surface of AgNPs. The red shift in LSPR peak of AgNPs after mixing with S-ovalbumin and decrease in protein-characteristic peak with increased silver loading confirmed the formation of protein–AgNPs bioconjugates. The effect of laser fluence on the size of AgNPs and nanoparticle–protein conjugation in the size range 5–38 nm is systematically studied. Raman spectra reveal broken disulphide bonds in the conjugated protein and formation of Ag–S bonds on the nanoparticle surface. Fluorescence spectroscopy showed quenching in fluorescence emission intensity of tryptophan residue of S-ovalbumin due to energy transfer from tryptophan moieties of albumin to AgNPs. Besides this, small blue shift in emission peak is also noticed in presence of AgNPs, which might be due to complex formation between protein and nanoparticles. The binding constant (K) and the number of binding sites (n) between AgNPs and S-ovalbumin have been found to be 0.006 M^?1 and 7.11, respectively.     

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of highly concentrated gold nanoparticles

Linear and nonlinear (NL) optical properties of composite materials containing high concentration of gold nanoparticles (NPs) were studied using the Maxwell–Garnett model and the degenerated electron gas model. High values of the linear refraction index of the composite, NL shift of the plasmon resonance peak and reversal sign of the real and imaginary parts of the NL third-order susceptibility were observed. Figures of merit for photonic devices were calculated and fulfilled depending of the filling factor and NPs size.     

Two-step femtosecond laser ablation-based method for the synthesis of stable and ultra-pure gold nanoparticles in water

A two-step laser-assisted method for the synthesis of small and low-dispersed colloidal gold nanoparticles in deionized water is reported. As the first step, laser ablation from a gold target is used to fabricate relatively large (few tens of nanometers) and size-dispersed colloids. As the second step, self-modification of the femtosecond laser pulse into a white-light supercontinuum is used to perform the secondary ablation of colloids. We show that the latter treatment leads to a drastic reduction of both the mean nanoparticles size and size dispersion as well as to the enhancement of the solution stability. Being prepared in pure deionized water, the colloidal nanoparticles are stable and free of any impurities, making them unique for surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and bio-imaging in vivo applications. PACS 81.05.-t; 82.70.Dd     

Selfassembly of gold nanoparticles onto the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes functionalized with mercaptobenzene moieties

We have developed a new and effective method to robustly self-assemble gold nanoparticles onto the surface of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) functionalized with mercaptobenzene moieties. Fourier transform infrared and electron diffraction spectroscopy were used to verify whether or not the mercaptobenzene moieties have been attached to the π-conjugated body of MWNTs. Transmission electron microscope images give direct evidences for the success of selfassembly of gold nanoparticles onto the functionalized MWNTs.     

Model for UV induced formation of gold nanoparticles in solid polymeric matrices

UV irradiation of polymeric PMMA films containing HAuCl₄ followed by annealing at 60-80 °C forms gold nanoparticles directly within the bulk material. The kinetics of nanoparticle formation was traced by extinction spectra of nanocomposite film changes vs annealing time. We propose that UV irradiation causes HAuCl₄ dissociation and thus provides a polymeric matrix with atomic gold. The presence of an oversaturated solid solution of atomic gold in the polymeric matrix leads to Au nanoparticle formation during annealing. This process can be understood as a phase transition of the first order. In this paper we apply several common kinetic models of the phase transition for describing Au nanoparticle formation inside the solid polymer matrix. We compare predictions of these models with the experimental data and show that these models cannot describe the process. We propose that the stabilization effect of the matrix on the growing gold nanoparticles is important. The simplest model introducing some probability for the transition from growing nanoparticle to the non-growing, stabilized form is suggested. It is shown that this model satisfactorily describes the experimentally observed evolution of the extinction spectrum of Au nanoparticles forming in a polymer matrix.     

Single step surface modification of highly stable magnetic nanoparticles for purification of His-tag proteins

The aim of this study was to develop a simple, cheap, and rapid method for purification of His-tag recombinant proteins with high yields. The new immobilized metal ion affinity adsorbent containing superparamagnetic nanoparticles and hydrophilic resins are proposed here to improve the purification of His-tagged recombinant proteins. In this report, we have described the preparation of nanosized superparamagnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄) which were prepared by chemical precipitation method followed by surface modification using phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid. The stable surface functionalized nanoparticles were further linked with Ni²⁺ for purification of 6× His-tagged proteins. The phosphonate group of the N-phosphonomethyl iminodiacetic acid ligand acts as a surface anchoring agent on magnetite nanoparticles and the remaining free –COOH groups outside for binding with Ni²⁺ ions. The nanoparticles were approximately 6–8 nm in size and were stable and had negligible non-specific binding for protein. The proteins were purified within 1 h and observed on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gel.     

Experimental investigations of the formation kinetics of gold nanoparticles in polymeric media

The kinetics of UV-induced formation of gold nanoparticles in polymethylmethacrylate films doped with chloroauric acid HAuCl₄ is studied. The films are investigated by the absorption spectroscopy and smallangle X-ray scattering methods. The changing size and polydispersity of gold nanoparticles are analyzed during their formation. The growth of gold nanoparticles is determined by the properties of a polymeric matrix and the rate of diffusion fluxes of matter.     

Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles into chain-like structures and their optical properties

Au nanoparticles with diameters of ca. 15 nm were synthesized according to the well-developed citrate reduction method. It was found that the nanoparticles tended to attach and fuse into each other to form chain-like structures with the removal of the stabilizing agents. UV–Vis absorption and HRTEM characterizations provided solid evidence for the fused features. On the basis of the HRTEM observations, we believed the decreased surface energy as well as the dipole–dipole interaction is responsible for the formation of the chain-like structures. SERS activity investigation indicated that the intensities of the b2-type bands have close relation with the concentration of the probing molecules, which further confirmed the chemical effect character of the b2-type scatterings.     

The amplification effect of functionalized gold nanoparticles on the binding of anticancer drug dacarbazine to DNA and DNA bases

The promising application of functionalized gold nanoparticles to amplify the performance of biosensors and relevant biomolecular recognition processes has been explored in this paper. Our observations illustrate the apparent enhancement effect of the gold nanoparticles on the electrochemical response of the anticancer drug dacarbazine (DTIC) binding to DNA and DNA bases, indicating that these functionalized gold nanoparticles could readily facilitate the specific interactions between DTIC and DNA/DNA bases. This raises the potential valuable applications of these biocompatible nanoparticles in the promising biosensors and biomedical engineering.     

Optical and optoacoustic measurements of the absorption properties of spherical gold nanoparticles within a highly scattering medium

In the present paper the requirements for optical parameter characterization of absorbing materials located within a highly scattering medium has been addressed. The measurement scheme incorporates the optoacoustic technique where a single acoustic transducer is used to detect ultrasonic transients generated from laser irradiation. The absorbing medium is based on different concentrations of spherical gold nanoparticles (SGNP’s), these are currently being considered as non-toxic targeted optical contrast agents for both medical imaging and cancer therapeutics. In this paper we present results which demonstrate the two main advantages the optoacoustic technique has over other measurement schemes. These are the possibility to obtain information on the position and dimensions of absorbing bodies using a time of flight analysis (TOF) and secondly, the higher sensitivity of the optoacoustics compared to optical transmission techniques. The former advantage is of particular interest for imaging applications and the latter for detection and characterization of absorbing materials surrounded by high levels of high scattering mediums. We present for the first time the characterization of SGNP within a highly scattering medium. To further demonstrate the feasibility of the optoacoustic technique, the scattering coefficient of the surrounding medium has also been characterized.     

Laser-assisted generation of gold nanoparticles and nanostructures in liquid and their plasmonic luminescence

Nanoparticles (NPs) and surface nanostructures (NS) are produced via laser ablation of a bulk gold target in liquid using second harmonics of 10 ps Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) with repetition rate of 50 kHz. The morphology and plasmon photoluminescence (PL) properties of obtained nanoscale objects are described. Transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy are used for morphology characterization of NPs and NS, respectively. Plasmon PL of both gold NPs and NS is experimentally studied using the third harmonics of the Nd:YAG picosecond laser (355 nm) as a pump. The wavelength of intensity maximum of PL of Au NPs colloidal solution virtually coincides with the position of Au NPs plasmon absorption peak. Real-time excitation of both plasmon PL and Raman scattering of surrounding liquid by picosecond laser pulses in aqueous colloidal solution is also investigated. The efficient cross section of plasmon PL of Au NPs colloid is evaluated using Raman scattering of water as a comparative parameter. The results are in good agreement with values obtained in previous works. Plasmon PL from self-organized NS on the Au surface produced via laser ablation is observed for the first time. Its spectrum is compared to PL spectra of both aqueous colloidal solutions of NPs and of NPs deposited on a Si wafer. The obtained experimental data are discussed with reference to the band structure of bulk Au.     

Theoretical insights into the formation of thiolate-protected nanoparticles from gold (III) chloride

Reaction pathways for the formation of thiolate-gold nanoparticles are investigated by density functional theory (DFT) and a new mechanism upon solvent polarity and tetraalkylammonium is obtained. In solvents with high polarities, [Au(I)SR]_n polymers can be formed as the precursor of metal ions prior to the addition of a reducing agent; while a product of [Cl…AuCl(HSR)] is identified as the precursor in solvents with low polarities, such as toluene and chloroform. In addition, tetraalkylammonium also has an obvious effect on the reactions when it is used as a phase transfer agent in the two-phase synthesis. These findings offer a systematic analysis on the pathways to thiolate-stabilized nanoparticles and give a favorable explanation by comparison with those in an experimental system.     

Size-controlled synthesis of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and their surface coating by gold for biomedical applications

The size mono-dispersity, saturation magnetization, and surface chemistry of magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) are recognized as critical factors for efficient biomedical applications. Here, we performed modified water-in-oil inverse nano-emulsion procedure for preparation of stable colloidal superparamagnetic iron oxide NPs (SPIONs) with high saturation magnetization. To achieve mono-dispersed SPIONs, optimization process was probed on several important factors including molar ratio of iron salts [Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺], the concentration of ammonium hydroxide as reducing agent, and molar ratio of water to surfactant. The biocompatibility of the obtained NPs, at various concentrations, was evaluated via MTT (3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and the results showed that the NPs were non-toxic at concentrations <0.1 mg/mL. Surface functionalization was performed by conformal coating of the NPs with a thin shell of gold (∼4 nm) through chemical reduction of attached gold salts at the surface of the SPIONs. The Fe₃O₄ core/Au shell particles demonstrate strong plasmon resonance absorption and can be separated from solution using an external magnetic field. Experimental data from both physical and chemical determinations of the changes in particle size, surface plasmon resonance optical band, phase components, core–shell surface composition, and magnetic properties have confirmed the formation of the mono-dispersed core–shell nanostructure.     

Formation of gold nanoparticles and their aggregates in a liquid at magnetron deposition

The influence of magnetron deposition conditions on the size of Au nanoparticles and their aggregates obtained by condensation in a neutral liquid is studied experimentally. A model is suggested in which the nanoparticles and aggregates form in a thin subsurface layer, which becomes oversaturated by atoms and resulting nanoparticles when the liquid flows through a localized deposition zone. The process stops when the products leave this zone because of stirring. The size of nanoparticles and aggregates depends on the particle flux density and exposure time in the deposition zone. The final size of nanoparticles depends on the exposure time only slightly, while that of aggregates significantly depends on the exposure time. This allows one to prepare a concentrated solution of almost monodisperse nanoparticles with a low degree of aggregation by properly selecting deposition conditions and multiply passing the liquid through the deposition zone.     

Surface modification of gold nanoparticles and their monolayer behavior at the air/water interface

Gold nanoparticles were prepared by two different methods. The first method was chemically grafting the particles with different lengths of alkylthiol (C₆SH, C₁₂SH and C₁₈SH). For the second method, the Au particles were surface modified first by mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) to render a surface with carboxylic acid groups which play a role to physically adsorb cationic surfactant in chloroform. This method was termed physical/chemical method. In the first method, the effects of alkyl chain length and dispersion solvent on the monolayer behavior of surface modified gold nanoparticles was evaluated. The gold nanoparticles prepared by 1-hexanthiol demonstrated the narrowest size distribution. Most of them showed narrower particle size distributions in chloroform than in hexane. For the physical/chemical method, the particles can spread more uniformly on the water surface which is attributed to the amphiphilic character of the particles at the air/water interface. However, the particles cannot pack closely due to the relatively weak particle-particle interaction. The effect of alkyl chain length was also assessed for the second method.     

Fabrication of gold nanoparticles in water by laser ablation technique and their characterization

A colloidal solution of gold nanoparticles in deionized nanopure water was produced by laser ablation technique without the use of any chemical/surfactant. Spectral characterization and morphological studies of these nanoparticles were carried out by UV-Vis Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy, respectively. A number of variables of the ablating laser pulse have been used to control the size of the fabricated nanoparticles. Excellent correlation between ablating laser pulse parameter and optical and morphological parameters of the gold colloids were obtained. The peak of the extinction spectra shows a monotonic blue shift for laser fluence of 410 J/cm² and above. Below this the extinction peak remains fairly constant in wavelength. Blue shifts of the extinction spectra were also observed with increasing re-ablation time of previously ablated gold colloids. Possible explanations of all these observations are discussed.     

Quantum antidot formation and correlation to optical shift of gold nanoparticles embedded in MgO

Quantum antidots are subnanometer scale vacancy clusters, the localized electronic structure of which can significantly alter the properties of a nanomaterial. We use positron spectroscopy to study vacancy clusters generated during the formation of gold nanoparticles via ion implantation in an MgO matrix. We observed that quantum antidots are associated with the nanoparticle surfaces after annealing in an O2 atmosphere, but not after annealing in a H2 atmosphere. In the former case, the presence of quantum antidots bound to the gold nanoparticles correlates with the redshift of the gold surface plasmon resonance, thus allowing an explanation for the redshift based on the transfer of electrons away from the metal particles.