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Pellizzoni E, Şologan M, Daka M, Pengo P, Marson D, Posel Z, Franchi S, Bignardi L, Franchi P, Lucarini M, Posocco P, Pasquato L. Thiolate end-group regulates ligand arrangement, hydration and affinity for small compounds in monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles. J Colloid Interface Sci 2021; 607:1373-1381. [PMID: 34583042 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2021.09.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The ability to control the properties of monolayer protected gold nanoparticles (MPNPs) discloses unrevealed features stemming from collective properties of the ligands forming the monolayer and presents opportunities to design new materials. To date, the influence of ligand end-group size and capacity to form hydrogen bonds on structure and hydration of small MPNPs (<5 nm) has been poorly studied. Here, we show that both features determine ligands order, solvent accessibility, capacity to host hydrophobic compounds and interfacial properties of MPNPs. The polarity perceived by a radical probe and its binding constant with the monolayer investigated by electron spin resonance is rationalized by molecular dynamics simulations, which suggest that larger space-filling groups - trimethylammonium, zwitterionic and short polyethylene glycol - favor a radial organization of the thiolates, whereas smaller groups - as sulfonate - promote the formation of bundles. Zwitterionic ligands create a surface network of hydrogen bonds, which affects nanoparticle hydrophobicity and maximize the partition equilibrium constant of the probe. This study discloses the role of the chemistry of the end-group on monolayer features with effects that span from molecular- to nano-scale and opens the door to a shift in the conception of new MPNPs exploiting the end-group as a novel design motif.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Pellizzoni
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and INSTM Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Maria Şologan
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and INSTM Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Mario Daka
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and INSTM Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Paolo Pengo
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and INSTM Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Domenico Marson
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Zbyšek Posel
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy); Department of Informatics, Jan Evangelista Purkyně University, 400 96 Ústínad Labem, (Czech Republic)
| | - Stefano Franchi
- Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste S.C.p.A., 34149 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Luca Bignardi
- Department of Physics, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy)
| | - Paola Franchi
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, I-40126 Bologna, (Italy)
| | - Marco Lucarini
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, I-40126 Bologna, (Italy).
| | - Paola Posocco
- Department of Engineering and Architecture, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy).
| | - Lucia Pasquato
- Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences and INSTM Trieste Research Unit, University of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, (Italy).
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Montes-García V, Squillaci MA, Diez-Castellnou M, Ong QK, Stellacci F, Samorì P. Chemical sensing with Au and Ag nanoparticles. Chem Soc Rev 2021; 50:1269-1304. [PMID: 33290474 DOI: 10.1039/d0cs01112f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) are ideal scaffolds for the fabrication of sensing devices because of their high surface-to-volume ratio combined with their unique optical and electrical properties which are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment. Such characteristics guarantee high sensitivity in sensing processes. Metal NPs can be decorated with ad hoc molecular building blocks which can act as receptors of specific analytes. By pursuing this strategy, and by taking full advantage of the specificity of supramolecular recognition events, highly selective sensing devices can be fabricated. Besides, noble metal NPs can also be a pivotal element for the fabrication of chemical nose/tongue sensors to target complex mixtures of analytes. This review highlights the most enlightening strategies developed during the last decade, towards the fabrication of chemical sensors with either optical or electrical readout combining high sensitivity and selectivity, along with fast response and full reversibility, with special attention to approaches that enable efficient environmental and health monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verónica Montes-García
- University of Strasbourg, CNRS, ISIS UMR 7006, 8 Allée Gaspard Monge, F-67000 Strasbourg, France.
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Marson D, Posel Z, Posocco P. Molecular Features for Probing Small Amphiphilic Molecules with Self-Assembled Monolayer-Protected Nanoparticles. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2020; 36:5671-5679. [PMID: 32348150 PMCID: PMC8007095 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.9b03686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The sensing of small molecules poses the challenge of developing devices able to discriminate between compounds that may be structurally very similar. Here, attention has been paid to the use of self-assembled monolayer (SAM)-protected gold nanoparticles since they enable a modular approach to tune single-molecule affinity and selectivity simply by changing functional moieties (i.e., covering ligands), along with multivalent molecular recognition. To date, the discovery of monolayers suitable for a specific molecular target has relied on trial-and-error approaches, with ligand chemistry being the main criterion used to modulate selectivity and sensitivity. By using molecular dynamics, we showcase that either individual molecular characteristics and/or collective features such as ligand flexibility, monolayer organization, ligand local ordering, and interfacial solvent properties can also be exploited conveniently. The knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that drive the recognition of small molecules on SAM-covered nanoparticles will critically expand our ability to manipulate and control such supramolecular systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenico Marson
- Department
of Engineering and Architecture, University
of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
| | - Zbyšek Posel
- Department
of Engineering and Architecture, University
of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
- Department
of Informatics, Jan Evangelista Purkyně
University, 40096 Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic
| | - Paola Posocco
- Department
of Engineering and Architecture, University
of Trieste, 34127 Trieste, Italy
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Improving the properties of a gold nanoparticle barium sensor through mixed-ligand shells. Talanta 2020; 208:120370. [DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2019.120370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2019] [Revised: 09/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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AuNPs-Based Thermoresponsive Nanoreactor as an Efficient Catalyst for the Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol. NANOMATERIALS 2018; 8:nano8120963. [PMID: 30469465 PMCID: PMC6315678 DOI: 10.3390/nano8120963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2018] [Revised: 11/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
A new AuNPs-based thermosensitive nanoreactor (SiO₂@PMBA@Au@PNIPAM) was designed and prepared by stabilizing AuNPs in the layer of poly(N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide) (PMBA) and subsequent wrapping with the temperature-sensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) layer. The new nanoreactor exhibited high dispersibility and stability in aqueous solution and effectively prevented the aggregation of AuNPs caused by the phase transformation of PNIPAM. The XPS and ATR-FTIR results indicated that AuNPs could be well stabilized by PMBA due to the electron transfer between the N atoms of amide groups in the PMBA and Au atoms of AuNPs. The catalytic activity and thermoresponsive property of the new nanoreactor were invested by the reduction of the environmental pollutant, 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), with NaBH₄ as a reductant. It exhibited a higher catalytic activity at 20 °C and 30 °C (below LCST of PNIPAM), but an inhibited catalytic activity at 40 °C (above LCST of PNIPAM). The PNIPAM layer played a switching role in controlling the catalytic rate by altering the reaction temperature. In addition, this nanoreactor showed an easily recyclable property due to the existence of a silica core and also preserved a rather high catalytic efficiency after 16 times of recycling.
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Sun X, Liu P, Mancin F. Sensor arrays made by self-organized nanoreceptors for detection and discrimination of carboxylate drugs. Analyst 2018; 143:5754-5763. [DOI: 10.1039/c8an01756e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
An array of self-organized nanoreceptors based on monolayer-protected gold nanoparticles in combination with different commercially available fluorescent dyes can detect and discriminate nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohuan Sun
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Padova
- 35131 Padova
- Italy
| | - Ping Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology
- Tianjin University
- Tianjin
- China
| | - Fabrizio Mancin
- Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche
- Università di Padova
- 35131 Padova
- Italy
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