We study ligand-nanoparticle interactions and their assembly processes using a combination of physical [electrospray-differential mobility analyzer (ES-DMA)], microscopic (SEM, TEM), and spectroscopic (FT-IR, ICP-MS) approaches. Silica nanoparticle (SiO2-NP) and gold nanoparticle (AuNP) are chosen as representatives due to their attractiveness in biomedical applications. Material properties, and the corresponding interactions of nanoparticles with ligands, and/or between the particles, can be obtained through a complementary characterization: ES-DMA provides the information of high-resolution particle size distribution, colloidal stability, and the degree of aggregation of SiO2-NPs and AuNPs in the media; SEM and TEM are employed to present the morphology of nanoparticles, and the efficiency of the nanoparticle assembly process; ICP-MS and FT-IR are used to investigate the elemental composition and the extent of ligand conjugation on nanoparticle's surface. The binding affinity between SiO2-NP and AuNP is shown to be tunable, based on a combination of silane treatment on SiO2-NP's surface plus surface PEGylation to the AuNP. A Brownian dynamic simulation model is employed as support to our experimental work, providing a further fundamental understanding to the process of nanoparticle assembly over different extent of surface functionalization.

Characterization of surface-engineered nanoparticles and their assembly

247th National Meeting (2014)

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