Template synthesis of gold nanoparticles with an organic molecular cage

We report a novel strategy for the controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with narrow size distribution (1.9 ± 0.4 nm) through NP nucleation and growth inside the cavity of a well-defined three-dimensional, shape-persistent organic molecular cage. Our results show that both a well-defined cage structure and pendant thioether groups pointing inside the cavity are essential for the AuNP synthesis.

Dendrimer templated construction of silver nanoparticles

Silver nanoparticles continue to evoke great current interest due to their tremendous potential in designing smart materials for a wide variety of applications. Much emphasis has been placed lately in developing methodologies that could modulate the size and shape of these metal particles. Dendrimers that are monodisperse in nature with a regular and highly branched three-dimensional architecture, provide a useful platform to accomplish this goal. These hyperbranched macromolecules have been widely explored as templates in the construction of silver metal nanoparticles, and this review aims to provide a detailed overview of dendrimer-assisted synthesis of silver nanoparticles.

Dendrimer-based organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles in biomedical applications

This review reports some recent advances on the synthesis, self-assembly, and biofunctionalization of various dendrimer-based organic/inorganic hybrid nanoparticles (NPs) for various biomedical applications, including but not limited to protein immobilization, gene delivery, and molecular diagnosis. In particular, targeted molecular imaging of cancer using dendrimer-based organic/inorganic hybrid NPs will be introduced in detail.

Dendritic structures within dendritic structures: dendrimer-induced formation and self-assembly of nanoparticle networks

15-Membered tri-olefinic azamacrocycles as end-groups of phosphorus-containing dendrimers from generation 1 to 4 are used for obtaining Pt nanoparticles in mild conditions; remarkable and unprecedented branched supramolecular assemblies composed of dendrimers and coalesced Pt nanoparticles are obtained, which become larger for higher dendrimer generations, affording for the first time a very unique organization of organic dendritic structures interweaved with inorganic dendritic structures.

Magnetic particle-based hybrid platforms for bioanalytical sensors

Biomagnetic nano and microparticles platforms have attracted considerable interest in the field of biological sensors due to their interesting physico-chemical properties, high specific surface area, good mechanical stability and opportunities for generating magneto-switchable devices. This review discusses recent advances in the development and characterization of active biomagnetic nanoassemblies, their interaction with biological molecules and their use in bioanalytical sensors.