Gold nanoparticle (AuNP) assemblies are of immense value because of their applications in many fields ranging from biosensing to optoelectronics. Using �click� chemistry, we seek to develop a novel method to self-assemble AuNPs that is not restricted by environmental conditions, such as pH, temperature, and solvent. �Click� chemistry is performed using a Huisgen 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition to combine two populations of AuNPs, forming a 1,2,3-triazole in the presence of a copper(I) catalyst. Cyclic voltammetry is used to reduce copper(II) to copper(I) to catalyze this reaction. The first population of AuNPs is created by functionalizing 11.2 nm AuNPs with azide terminated-polyethyleneglycol, and the second population is created by functionalizing 11.2 nm AuNPs with alkyne terminated-polyethylene glycol. FT-IR and UV-Vis spectroscopy, as well as DLS and cyclic voltammetry are used to characterize these populations before and after attempting coupling reactions.

Self-assembly of gold nanoparticles through "click" chemistry

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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