[en] Gold nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared by reduction of HAuCl4 in aqueous solution and stabilized by poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM). PNIPAM was prepared by two distinct routes: (i) conventional free-radical polymerization leading to polymer without any reactive end-group, and (ii) Reversible Addition–Fragmentation chain Transfer (RAFT) polymerization with 2-dodecylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanyl-2-methyl propionic acid (DMP) as a RAFT agent. PNIPAM with low polydispersity was then end-capped by an α-carboxylic acid and an ω-trithiocarbonate that was converted into an ω-thiol upon hydrolysis. This hetero-telechelic polymer was analyzed by mass spectroscopy, size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and 1H NMR. Even without thiol end-group, known for chemisorption onto gold, PNIPAM was effective in stabilizing gold NPs (1–5 nm). The thermosensitivity of PNIPAM at the surface of gold NPs was, however, dependent on the molecular weight of the chains. Finally, the α-carboxyl end-group of PNIPAM was used to anchor biotin, which is indeed known for complexation with avidin, which is a possible strategy for the coated gold NPs to be involved as building blocks in supramolecular assemblies. TEM and UV–vis spectroscopy were used to characterize the gold nanoparticles.
Research center :
Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
Disciplines :
Materials science & engineering Chemistry
Author, co-author :
Aqil, Abdelhafid ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
Qiu, Hongjin; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
Greisch, Jean-François ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
Jérôme, Robert ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Depatment of Chemistry > Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
De Pauw, Edwin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Mass Spectrometry Laboratory
Jérôme, Christine ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Department of Chemistry > Center for Education and Research on Macromolecules (CERM)
Language :
English
Title :
Coating of gold nanoparticles by thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) end-capped by biotin
The "Région Wallonne" in the frame of the "NOMADE" program BELSPO - SPP Politique scientifique - Service Public Fédéral de Programmation Politique scientifique F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
Commentary :
The authors acknowledge Polymer (Elsevier) for allowing them to archive this paper.