Nanoparticles have been used in a multitude of applications due to the unique properties that arise as a result of core size. Well-defined organic ligand shells can also be incorporated to introduce additional functionality for broader applications. Customizing the ligand shell allows for the production of nanoparticles with different physical properties as well as additional reactive sites. Current synthetic methods often focus on the production of nanoparticles for a specific application and then modify functionality through ligand exchange. This approach may introduce additional complexity due to difficulty in maintaining core size or in obtaining complete ligand exchange. We demonstrate an alternate approach for nanoparticle synthesis where reactive sites for further functionalization are introduced directly during synthesis. By altering the ratio of terminal azide or alkyne ligands to a diluent ligand, the number of functional groups can be tailored to improve reaction efficiencies and avidities while maintaining nanoparticle stability in aqueous solutions. This approach allows for the direct synthesis of nanoparticles that can serve as easily modified building blocks for use in a wide variety of applications. Markedly, these types of water-soluble nanoparticles show promise in future biomedical applications requiring biocompatibility, high reaction efficiency, and specificity. Further, the ease of synthesis and subsequent modification will help provide access to a breadth of related materials allowing for rapid screening of structure activity relationships.

Direct synthesis of "click-able" mixed ligand gold nanoparticles with controlled reactive group densities

247th National Meeting (2014)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.