Zn2+‐Regulated Self‐Sorting and Mixing of Phosphates and Carboxylates on the Surface of Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles |
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Authors: | Cristian Pezzato Prof. Dr. Paolo Scrimin Prof. Dr. Leonard J. Prins |
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Affiliation: | Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Padova, Via Marzolo 1, 35131 Padova (Italy) |
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Abstract: | Herein, we describe the self‐sorting of phosphate‐ and carboxylate‐containing molecules on the surface of monolayer‐protected gold nanoparticles. Self‐sorting is driven by selective interactions between the phosphate probe and Zn2+ complexes in one monolayer; these interactions force the carboxylate probe to move to a second type of nanoparticle. This process effectively separates the probes and causes their localization in well‐defined spaces surrounding the nanoparticles. The removal/addition of Zn2+ metal ions from the system is used to convert the system from an ordered to a disordered state and vice versa. The possibility to control the location and transport of populations of molecules in a complex mixture creates new perspectives for the development of innovative complex catalytic systems that mimic nature. |
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Keywords: | compartmentalization gold nanoparticles self‐assembly self‐sorting supramolecular chemistry |
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