Controlled synthesis of polyethylenimine coated gold nanoparticles: Application in glutathione sensing and nucleotide delivery

Abstract

Synthesis of functional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) justifying selectivity in biochemical interaction along with biocompatibility suited for in vivo biomedical applications has been a challenging issue. We report herein the role of polyethylenimine (PEI) in controlled synthesis of AuNPs under ambient conditions which has potentiality for sensing glutathione and selective interaction with DNA binding proteins facilitating endosomal escape for the nucleotide delivery. The choice of organic reducing agents like formaldehyde/acetaldehyde/acetyl acetone/tetrahydrofuran hydroperoxide and other similar compounds allow rapid conversion of PEI capped gold cations into AuNPs at room temperature thus controlling the functional ability of nanoparticles as a function of organic reducing agents. Both small and higher molecular weight PEI facilitates fast synthesis of AuNPs controlling cytotoxicity during in vivo biomedical applications. The AuNPs have been characterized by UV-Vis and transmission electron microscopy revealing excellent polycrystallinity and controlled nanogeometry. The cationic polymer coating enhances the electrocatalytic performances of nanoparticles. The typical biomedical application on glutathione (GSH) sensing based on peroxidase mimetic ability of as made AuNPs is studied. The as synthesized AuNPs are extreme salt and pH resistant and have potentiality for both homogeneous and heterogeneous biocatalysis. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1191-1199, 2017.

Molecular weight of polyethylenimine-dependent transfusion and selective antimicrobial activity of functional silver nanoparticles

“…PEI-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles under ambient conditions has been studied in detail [ 12 ]. The PEI-capped silver cation allowed microwave-assisted reduction of silver cations in the presence of an organic reducing agent, namely cyclohexanone or formaldehyde, leading to the formation of three different silver nanoparticles.…”

“…We have already demonstrated that PEI along with an organic reducing agent allows for controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles [ 12 ]. Since the amine functionality of cationic polymer enables microwave activity, it is desirable to control the reduction of the noble metal cation under microwave incubation.…”

Microneedle‐based transdermal electrochemical biosensors based on Prussian blue‐gold nanohybrid modified screen‐printed electrodes

“…PEI enables controlled conversion of gold cations into AuNPs in the presence of formaldehyde and other similar agents as described previously (Pandey et al, 2017a; Pandey et al, 2017b). Accordingly, PEI protected PBNPs can be used for making PBNP‐AuNP nanohybrids.…”

“…The PBNP‐AuNP nanohybrids were made using two different methods. In Method 1, AuNPs were made using three different concentrations of gold cations (100, 50, and 25 mM) using gold cation precursors (Pandey et al, 2017a). Equal volumes of PBNPs and AuNPs were thoroughly mixed to yield PBNP‐AuNP nanohybrids.…”

“…The use of PEI for the reduction of gold cations into AuNPs through a thermal process has previously been demonstrated (Keihan et al, 2020; Sun, Dong, & Wang, 2004; Wang & Kan, 2018). Furthermore, we have recently demonstrated the role of PEI for controlled real time conversion of gold cations into gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) under ambient conditions in the presence of forrmaldehyde (Pandey, Pandey, & Narayan, 2017a; Pandey, Pandey, & Narayan, 2017b). Accordingly, nanohybrids of PBNPs and AuNPs can be made with PEI as a common reagent.…”