A desired goal in material synthesis is the construction of sub-nanometer clusters (10-100 atoms) of exact composition and uniformity which could be used in diverse applications ranging from catalysts to multifunctional coatings. Our research utilizes the PAMAM dendrimers as a molecular template by modifying the surface groups with derivatized DOTA ligands: p-SCN-Bn-DOTA, DOTA-NHS-ester, and p-SCN-Bn-DO3A. These ligands are tetra-dentate nitrogen macrocyles with terminal carboxylate groups that are ligated to the surfaces of PAMAM dendrimers, and then coordinated to metal ions. The number of metal ions coordinated on each dendrimer is constant, since it occurs at the dendrimer surface rather than the dendrimer interior like other templates, and the binding affinities for each ligand are large. The metals are reduced by NaBH4 to form nanoparticles which are characterized by gel electrophoresis.

Synthesis of metal nanoparticles with a DOTA-PAMAM atomic metron template

248th National Meeting (2014)

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