A facile method to functionalize gold nano-tripods with high suspension stability in an aqueous environment

Abstract

Here we aim to develop a facile emulsion-based method to prepare tripod gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with high suspension stability in an aqueous environment. A gyroid-structured polymer template formed by the hydrolysis of a degradable block copolymer, polystyrene (PS)-b-poly(l-lactide), is used for the fabrication of AuNPs. Also, a successful emulsification of dichloromethane (DCM) in the aqueous phase is developed by using thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG-SH) as the stabilizer. Subsequently, the nanohybrids of PS/Au can be fabricated by templated electroless plating, and then selectively dissolving in the DCM dispersive phase. Most interestingly, a dedicated process for the simultaneous release of the tripod AuNPs from the dissolution of PS associated with PEG-SH at the interface of the emulsion is achieved, giving PEG-SH-functionalized tripod AuNPs dispersed in the aqueous phase, which significantly improves the suspension stabilization of tripod AuNPs. The in situ temperature-programmed electrospray-differential mobility analysis provides a quantitative, statistical analysis of mobility diameter, dynamic shape factor, polydispersity, and colloidal stability.

Bespoke nanostars: synthetic strategies, tactics, and uses of tailored branched gold nanoparticles

“…174 Symmetrical-plane gold tripods are particularly difficult to grow through traditional methods as they require specific growth from every other <110> direction, but through electroless plating methods gold nanospheres can undergo morphological evolution to tripods using periodic double gyroid nanoporous templates. 175 This underexplored method of multipod synthesis presents an interesting approach towards the creation of branching gold nanoparticles; because control of isotropic nanoparticle growth is often significantly higher than their anisotropic counterparts greater final morphological control may be able to be achieved.…”

Kinetic description of water transport during spontaneous emulsification induced by Span 80

“…Therefore, spontaneous emulsification has been applied to various technologies, such as for drug carrier preparation, 4,5 microanalysis, 6–10 and micro- and nanomaterial synthesis. 11–17…”

From cells to tissues, microscopy to modeling: towards precise, data-driven photothermal therapy with gold nanorods

“…Gold nanoprisms [137][138][139][140][141] have enlightening results in the study of PPTT-induced cell death mechanisms and in photoacoustics as contrast agents in vitro, and in toxicity and biodistribution studies in vivo. Gold nanohexapods [142] and gold nanotripods [143][144][145] showed very high photothermal efficiencies compared to gold nanorods. Gold nanovesicles [146,147] demonstrated good photoacoustic efficiency conversion, being capable of loading drugs (e.g.…”