Functionalizing agents are used to improve gold nanoparticle (AuNP) stability <i>in vivo</i>, lengthen half life, and increase efficacy of biodistribution. The highly hydrophilic quality of FDA-approved PEG imparts such characteristics, increasing biocompatibility. AuNPs functionalized with PEK, a naturally derived polymer comprised of alternating lysine (E) and glutamic acid (K) amino acids, are hypothesized to exhibit reduced levels of protein adsorption than PEG functionalized AuNPs. To enhance protein resistance, we functionalized gold nanoparticles with PEG and subsequently backfilled with PEK. The mushroom-like structure of PEG prevents it from fully coating the surface of the nanoparticle, and the smaller footprint of PEK allows it to fill voids left on the surface of the nanoparticle following PEG deposition. To gauge the success of the backfilling procedure, we characterized the AuNPs using dynamic light scattering (DLS) to evaluate size changes, Zeta-potential (ZP) to assess changes in surface charge, and infrared spectroscopy (IR) to discern the functional groups present on the surface of the nanoparticle. Results suggest that PEK is displacing PEG during backfilling. Continued work includes characterizing AuNPs at different time points during PEK functionalization to determine the kinetics of the displacement process. We will also quantify protein adsorption rates of PEK+PEG functionalized AuNPs and compare them to those of monofunctionalized AuNPs. These and other results will be presented.<br/>

Functionalization of gold nanoparticles with multiple stabilizing agents

255th National Meeting (2018)

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