It is accepted that protein corona formation on colloidal nanomaterials is mostly promoted by nonspecific adsorption of serum proteins on poorly controlled nanoparticle surfaces. This issue has attracted considerable interest over the past decade, due to its detrimental impacts on the potential application of these materials in nanomedicine.  However, most studies were carried out with a focus on spherical nanocrystals. Herein, we investigate the effects of combining the surface coating structure and charge with the nanocrystal shape on the corona formation using spherical, rod-like, and star-shape gold nanocolloids. The surface coating relied on lipoic acid-modified polymer ligands. We find that in the absence of PEG blocks in the surface coating, protein adsorption can be strongly affected by the exact structure and shape of the colloid.  As such, corona formation substantially varied between spheres, rods and stars. These effects persisted under different incubation temperatures. In contrast, we find that introduction of PEG blocks or zwitterion moieties tend to drastically reduce nonspecific interactions and corona formation on all shapes of nanocrystals.<br/> <br/><br/>

Understanding the effects of surface coating and nanocrystal shape on corona formation for gold colloids

2019 Spring National Meeting

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