Gold nanoparticle thin films have many functions in biosensing and microelectronics. The gold nanoparticle thin films are formed by self-assembly on silicon dioxide glass microscope slides through a layer-by-layer immersion technique. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are employed to make these films because AuNPs have previously been shown be biocompatible, relatively inert, and form monolayers rather easily.However, the temporal degradation of the thin films in an aqueous medium prevents their widespread use in biological applications. The degradation of the thin films is quantified by measuring the contact angle. Previously, it had been assumed that the decrease in contact angle, and thus the degradation, was due to desorbtion of the AuNPs from the film. However, analysis by ICP-OES after a moderate time period did not indicate loss of AuNPs from the films, and instead indicated a desorbtion of the outer layer of dodecanethiol from the slides.

Determining the cause of temporal instability of self-assembled gold nanoparticle thin films

245th National Meeting (2013)

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