Shape-controlled synthesis of NIR absorbing branched gold nanoparticles and morphology stabilization with alkanethiols

Gold nanoparticles are ideal candidates for clinical applications if their plasmon absorption band is situated in the near infrared region (NIR) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Various parameters, including the nanoparticle shape, strongly influence the position of this absorption band. The aim of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nanotechnology 2011-01, Vol.22 (1), p.015601-015601
Main Authors: Van de Broek, B, Frederix, F, Bonroy, K, Jans, H, Jans, K, Borghs, G, Maes, G
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Alkanes - chemistry
Disulfides - chemistry
Gold - chemistry
Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry
Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
Nanotechnology - methods
Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet
Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared
Sulfhydryl Compounds - chemistry
Surface Plasmon Resonance
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Summary:Gold nanoparticles are ideal candidates for clinical applications if their plasmon absorption band is situated in the near infrared region (NIR) of the electromagnetic spectrum. Various parameters, including the nanoparticle shape, strongly influence the position of this absorption band. The aim of this study is to produce stabilized NIR absorbing branched gold nanoparticles with potential for biomedical applications. Hereto, the synthesis procedure for branched gold nanoparticles is optimized varying the different synthesis parameters. By subsequent electroless gold plating the plasmon absorption band is shifted to 747.2 nm. The intrinsic unstable nature of the nanoparticles' morphology can be clearly observed by a spectral shift and limits their use in real applications. However, in this article we show how the stabilization of the branched structure can be successfully achieved by exchanging the initial capping agent for different alkanethiols and disulfides. Furthermore, when using alkanethiols/disulfides with poly(ethylene oxide) units incorporated, an increased stability of the gold nanoparticles is achieved in high salt concentrations up to 1 M and in a cell culture medium. These achievements open a plethora of opportunities for these stabilized branched gold nanoparticles in nanomedicine.
ISSN:0957-4484
1361-6528
DOI:10.1088/0957-4484/22/1/015601