Applications of Gold Nanoparticles in Plasmonic and Nanophotonic Biosensing

The unique properties of plasmonic nanoparticles and nanostructures have enabled a broad range of applications in a diverse set of fields, ranging from biological sensing, cancer therapy, to catalysis. They have been some of the most studied nanomaterials due in part to their chemical stability and biocompatibility as well as supporting theoretical efforts. The synthesis and fabrication of plasmonic nanoparticles and nanostructures have now reached high precision and sophistication. We review here their fundamental optical properties, discuss their tailoring for biological environments, and then detail examples on how they have been used to innovate in the biological and biomedical fields.

Ferrocene-Based Drugs, Delivery Nanomaterials and Fenton Mechanism: State of the Art, Recent Developments and Prospects

Ferrocene has been the most used organometallic moiety introduced in organic and bioinorganic drugs to cure cancers and various other diseases. Following several pioneering studies, two real breakthroughs occurred in 1996 and 1997. In 1996, Jaouen et al. reported ferrocifens, ferrocene analogs of tamoxifen, the chemotherapeutic for hormone-dependent breast cancer. Several ferrocifens are now in preclinical evaluation. Independently, in 1997, ferroquine, an analog of the antimalarial drug chloroquine upon the introduction of a ferrocenyl substituent in the carbon chain, was reported by the Biot-Brocard group and found to be active against both chloroquine-sensitive and chloroquine-resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum. Ferroquine, in combination with artefenomel, completed phase IIb clinical evaluation in 2019. More than 1000 studies have been published on ferrocenyl-containing pharmacophores against infectious diseases, including parasitic, bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, but the relationship between structure and biological activity has been scarcely demonstrated, unlike for ferrocifens and ferroquines. In a majority of ferrocene-containing drugs, however, the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), in particular the OH. radical, produced by Fenton catalysis, plays a key role and is scrutinized in this mini-review, together with the supramolecular approach utilizing drug delivery nanosystems, such as micelles, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), polymers, and dendrimers.

From sandwich complexes to dendrimers: journey toward applications to sensing, molecular electronics, materials science, and biomedicine

This review links various areas of inorganic chemistry around the themes developed by our research group during the last four decades. It is firstly based on the electronic structure of iron sandwich complexes, showing how the metal electron count dictates their reactivities, with various applications (via C-H activation, C-C bond formation) as reducing and oxidizing agents, redox and electrocatalysts and precursors of dendrimers and catalyst templates through bursting reactions. Various electron-transfer processes and consequences are explored, including the influence of the redox state on the acidity of robust ligands and the possibility to iterate in situ C-H activation and C-C bond formation to build arene-cored dendrimers. Examples of how these dendrimers are functionalized are illustrated using the cross olefin metathesis reactions, with application to the synthesis of soft nanomaterials and biomaterials. Mixed and average valence complexes give rise to remarkable subsequent organometallic reactions, including the salt influence on these reactions. The stereo-electronic aspect of these mixed valencies is pointed out in star-shaped multi-ferrocenes with a frustration effect and other multi-organoiron systems, with the perspective of understanding electron-transfer processes among dendrimer redox sites involving electrostatic effects and application to redox sensing and polymer metallocene batteries. Dendritic redox sensing is summarized for biologically relevant anions such as ATP^2- with supramolecular exoreceptor interactions at the dendrimer periphery in parallel with the seminal work on metallocene-derived endoreceptors by Beer's group. This aspect includes the design of the first metallodendrimers that have applications in both redox sensing and micellar catalysis with nanoparticles. These properties provide the opportunity to summarize the biomedical (mostly anticancer) applications of ferrocenes, dendrimers and dendritic ferrocenes in biomedicine (in particular the contribution from our group, but not only). Finally, the use of dendrimers as templates for catalysis is illustrated with numerous reactions including C-C bond formation, click reactions and H₂ production reactions.

Parametric Drug Release Optimization of Anti-Inflammatory Drugs by Gold Nanoparticles for Topically Applied Ocular Therapy

Eye drops represent 90% of all currently used ophthalmic treatments. Only 0.02% of therapeutic molecules contained in eye drops reach the eye anterior chamber despite their high concentration. The tear film efficiently protects the cornea, reducing access to the target. Thereby, the increase in the drug bioavailability and efficiency must come from the mucoadhesion optimization of the drug delivery system. The gold nanoparticles, used as a drug delivery system in this study, already showcased ultrastable and mucoadhesive properties. The goal was to study the gold nanoparticles' ability to release two specific ophthalmic drugs, flurbiprofen and ketorolac. The parameters of interest were those involving the loading conditions, the gold nanoparticles properties, and the release experimental conditions. The drug release was measured using an in vitro model based on dialysis bags coupled with UV-visible spectroscopy. Gold nanoparticles showed an ability to release different molecules, whether hydrophobic or hydrophilic, in passive or active drug release environments. Based on these preliminary results, gold nanoparticles could represent a promising drug delivery system for ketorolac and flurbiprofen when topically applied through eye drops.

Gold Nanoparticles Modification with Liquid Crystalline Polybenzylic Dendrons via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition

A series of six polybenzylic dendrons with an alkynyl focal point were synthesized for their incorporation to gold nanoparticles. Five of these compounds showed columnar mesomorphism in a wide range of temperatures. These dendrons were reacted with gold nanoparticles stabilized with a combination of a dodecanethiol and 11-azidoundecane-1-thiol. The azido group of the last compound allowed the functionalization of the nanoparticles with the six polybenzylic dendrons by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition between their alkynyl groups and the terminal azido groups of the thiols. A high efficiency of the cycloaddition process (47-69%) was confirmed by several experimental techniques and no decomposition or aggregation phenomena were detected in the dendron-coated nanoparticles. The involved mechanism and the resulting percentage composition of the final materials are discussed. The results of the ulterior growth of the nanoparticles by thermal treatment are influenced by the size and the shape of the dendron and the temperature of the process. The structures of the final nanoparticles were investigated by TEM, DSC, TGA, NMR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. These nanoparticles do not show liquid crystal properties. However, a melting process between a crystalline and a fluid phase is observed. In the solid phase, the nanomaterials prepared show a short-range interaction between nanoparticles with a 2D local hexagonal order. A near-field effect was observed in the UV-vis spectra by coupling of different surface plasmon resonance bands (SPR) probably due to the short-range interactions. The main novelty of this work lies in the scarcity of previous studies of gold nanoparticles coated with dendrons forming themselves columnar mesophases. Most of the studies reported in the literature deal with gold nanoparticles coated with calamitic mesogens. Additionally, the effect of the thermal treatment, which in a previous paper was shown to increase the mean size of the nanoparticles without increasing their size polydispersity, has been studied in these materials.

Clickable gold-nanoparticles as generic probe precursors for facile photoaffinity labeling application

Clickable photoreactive gold nanoparticles have been developed to facilitate one-step preparation of photoaffinity probes for bioactive small molecules and their application to target protein analysis.

Lenalidomide (LENA) Hybrid Gold Complex Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Physicochemical Evaluation, and Perspectives in Nanomedicine

This paper proposes a fast methodology to synthesize hybrid lenalidomide gold nanoparticles. Gold (HAuCl₄) is chelated with an antiangiogenic compound (lenalidomide (LENA)) and diacid poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) as capping agent and reagent. The suggested synthesis is rapid and results in gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with enhanced drug solubility. The binding between LENA, PEG, and Au(III) ions forms hybrid nanovectors named LENA IN PEG-AuNPs, which were characterized by different spectroscopic techniques (Raman and UV-vis), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and compared with LENA ON PEG-AuNPs, in which the drug was grafted onto gold surface by carbodiimide chemistry (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide/N-hydroxysuccinimide, EDC/NHS). The effective drug delivery under pH conditions was also reached, combined with doxorubicin (DOX) to improve the synergic chemotherapy and stability under experimental conditions. For biomedical purposes, hybrid gold nanocarriers were conjugated with folic acid (FA), which is specifically overexpressed in cancer cells. This paper will be very important in the domain of therapeutic gold complex, paving the way for reaching progress of novel drug carrier synthesis in nanomedicine.

Surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles for health-related applications

Functionalization of gold nanoparticles is crucial for the effective utilization of these materials in health-related applications. Health-related applications of gold nanoparticles rely on the physical and chemical reactions between molecules and gold nanoparticles. Surface chemistry can precisely control and tailor the surface properties of gold nanoparticles to meet the needs of applications. Gold nanoparticles have unique physical and chemical properties, and have been used in a broad range of applications from prophylaxis to diagnosis and treatment. The surface chemistry of gold nanoparticles plays a crucial role in all of these applications. This minireview summarizes these applications from the perspective of surface chemistry and explores how surface chemistry improves and imparts new properties to gold nanoparticles for these applications.

A click-based modular approach to introduction of peroxides onto molecules and nanostructures

Copper-promoted azide/alkyne cycloadditions (CuAAC) are explored as a tool for modular introduction of peroxides onto molecules and nanomaterials.

Optically Active Nanomaterials for Bioimaging and Targeted Therapy

Non-invasive tracking for monitoring the selective delivery and transplantation of biotargeted agents in vivo has been employed as one of the most effective tools in the field of nanomedicine. Different nanoprobes have been developed and applied to bioimaging tissues and the treatment of diseases ranging from inflammatory and cardiovascular diseases to cancer. Herein, we will review the recent advances in the development of optics-responsive nanomaterials, including organic and inorganic nanoparticles, for multimodal bioimaging and targeted therapy. The main focus is placed on nanoprobe fabrication, mechanistic illustrations, and diagnostic, or therapeutical applications. These nanomedicine strategies have promoted a better understanding of the biological events underlying diverse disease etiologies, thereby facilitating diagnosis, illness evaluation, therapeutic effect, and drug discovery.

Synthesis of Ultrastable Gold Nanoparticles as a New Drug Delivery System

Nanotechnologies are increasingly being developed for medical purposes. However, these nanomaterials require ultrastability for better control of their pharmacokinetics. The present study describes three types of ultrastable gold nanoparticles stabilized by thiolated polyethylene glycol groups remaining intact when subjected to some of the harshest conditions described thus far in the literature, such as autoclave sterilization, heat and freeze-drying cycles, salts exposure, and ultracentrifugation. Their stability is characterized by transmission electron microscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. For comparison purposes, two conventional nanoparticle types were used to assess their colloidal stability under all conditions. The ability of ultrastable gold nanoparticles to encapsulate bimatoprost, a drug for glaucoma treatment, is demonstrated. MTS assays on human corneal epithelial cells is assessed without changing cell viability. The impact of ultrastable gold nanoparticles on wound healing dynamics is assessed on tissue engineered corneas. These results highlight the potential of ultrastable gold nanoparticles as a drug delivery system in ocular therapy.

Insights into gold nanoparticles as a mucoadhesive system

A large number of drugs are administered on different mucosal surfaces. However, due to the poor mucoadhesion of the current formulations, their bioavailability is often very low. The development of efficient mucoadhesive drug delivery systems is thus crucial for improving the performance of these drugs. The mucoadhesive properties of gold nanoparticles were investigated. First, two types of gold nanoparticles were synthesized: AuNP1 and AuNP2. AuNP1 only contain internal thiol groups on their metallic core, and AuNP2 contain both internal and peripheral thiol groups. Different protocols based on an adapted quantitative colorimetric method, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopies were then developed to gather information on their mucoadhesive properties. Moreover, a global correction factor for the inner filter effect in spectrofluorimetry was proposed, and the data obtained were compared to those commonly used in the literature. Mucins deeply interact with AuNP1, perturbing their core, whereas they remain at the periphery of AuNP2. The quantitative method suggests that a larger number of mucins interact with AuNP2. The establishment of this protocol could be applied to assess the mucoadhesive properties of other stable molecules. This mucoadhesive property of gold nanoparticles could be combined with their drug delivery ability in order to improve the medication administered on mucosa.

Azide-Alkyne Click Conjugation on Quantum Dots by Selective Copper Coordination

Functionalization of nanocrystals is essential for their practical application, but synthesis on nanocrystal surfaces is limited by incompatibilities with certain key reagents. The copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition is among the most useful methods for ligating molecules to surfaces, but has been largely useless for semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) because Cu⁺ ions quickly and irreversibly quench QD fluorescence. To discover nonquenching synthetic conditions for Cu-catalyzed click reactions on QD surfaces, we developed a combinatorial fluorescence assay to screen >2000 reaction conditions to maximize cycloaddition efficiency while minimizing QD quenching. We identify conditions for complete coupling without significant quenching, which are compatible with common QD polymer surfaces and various azide/alkyne pairs. Based on insight from the combinatorial screen and mechanistic studies of Cu coordination and quenching, we find that superstoichiometric concentrations of Cu can promote full coupling if accompanied by ligands that selectively compete with the Cu from the QD surface but allow it to remain catalytically active. Applied to the conjugation of a K⁺ channel-specific peptidyl toxin to CdSe/ZnS QDs, we synthesize unquenched QD conjugates and image their specific and voltage-dependent affinity for K⁺ channels in live cells.

Recent applications of click chemistry for the functionalization of gold nanoparticles and their conversion to glyco-gold nanoparticles

Glycoscience, despite its myriad of challenges, promises to unravel the causes of, potential new detection methods for, and novel therapeutic strategies against, many disease states. In the last two decades, glyco-gold nanoparticles have emerged as one of several potential new tools for glycoscientists. Glyco-gold nanoparticles consist of the unique structural combination of a gold nanoparticle core and an outer-shell comprising multivalent presentation of carbohydrates. The combination of the distinctive physicochemical properties of the gold core and the biological function/activity of the carbohydrates makes glyco-gold nanoparticles a valuable tool in glycoscience. In this review we present recent advances made in the use of one type of click chemistry, namely the azide-alkyne Huisgen cycloaddition, for the functionalization of gold nanoparticles and their conversion to glyco-gold nanoparticles.

Thiol-Ene Click Reaction as a Facile and General Approach for Surface Functionalization of Colloidal Nanocrystals

Oleic acid (OA) and/or oleylamine (OAm) are generally used as the surface ligands for stabilization of inorganic nanocrystals (NCs). The hydrophobic and inert surface of the NCs limits their applications such as in biomedical areas. Hence, surface modifications are essential in many physical and chemical processes. Here, a facile and versatile strategy is reported for the modification of NCs by ultraviolet-induced thiol-ene chemistry, in which thiol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (HSPEG) and its derivatives can react directly with double bonds in OA/OAm ligands to form covalent linking within one step. Through this strategy, various hydrophobic NCs with different compositions and morphologies are able to be transferred into water combining with functionalization of active groups. As a proof-of-concept, this strategy is successfully used to construct a sensor for detecting avidin based on upconverting luminescence analysis. Therefore, this strategy provides a new tool for designing and tuning the surface properties of NCs for different applications.

Single-Step Synthesis of Small, Azide-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles: Versatile, Water-Dispersible Reagents for Click Chemistry

Nanoparticles possessing functional groups that can be readily conjugated (e.g., through click chemistry) are important precursors for the preparation of customized nanohybrid products. Such nanoparticles, if they are stable against agglomeration, are easily dispersible and have well-defined surface chemistry and size. As click-ready reagents, they can be stored until their time of use and then simply dispersed and reacted with an appropriate substrate. Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are excellent candidates for this purpose, and some clickable gold nanoparticles have been developed; however, AuNPs for use in aqueous systems are often prepared through difficult multistep processes and/or can be poorly dispersible in water. Here we report a single-step synthesis of clickable, water-dispersible AuNPs. The synthesis yields uniform, 3.5 nm diameter cores coated with a well-defined molecular ligand shell that makes the AuNPs stable and dispersible in water. The AuNP mixed ligand shell consists of hydroxyl-terminated ethylene glycol-based ligands to promote dispersion in water and a small number of azide-terminated ligands that readily undergo click reactions with alkynes. The use of a mesofluidic reactor affords fine control over the core size and ligand shell composition and ensures reproducible results (e.g., less than 0.1 nm variation in core diameter between batches). The purified reagents were successfully coupled to a variety of alkyne-containing substrates using both Cu-catalyzed and strain-promoted click reactions. Particle size, morphology, stability, and surface composition were thoroughly characterized using small-angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-vis, and ¹H NMR before and after the click reactions. Both the parent nanoparticles and their click chemistry products are stable during storage and remained dispersible for over a year in water, suggesting their potential for environmental, biological, and biomedical applications.

Quantified Binding Scale of Competing Ligands at the Surface of Gold Nanoparticles: The Role of Entropy and Intermolecular Forces

A basic understanding of the driving forces for the formation of multiligand coronas or self-assembled monolayers over metal nanoparticles is mandatory to control and predict the properties of ligand-protected nanoparticles. Herein, ¹ H nuclear magnetic resonance experiments and advanced density functional theory (DFT) modeling are combined to highlight the key parameters defining the efficiency of ligand exchange on dispersed gold nanoparticles. The compositions of the surface and of the liquid reaction medium are quantitatively correlated for bifunctional gold nanoparticles protected by a range of competing thiols, including an alkylthiol, arylthiols of varying chain length, thiols functionalized by ethyleneglycol units, and amide groups. These partitions are used to build scales that quantify the ability of a ligand to exchange dodecanethiol. Such scales can be used to target a specific surface composition by choosing the right exchange conditions (ligand ratio, concentrations, and particle size). In the specific case of arylthiols, the exchange ability scale is exploited with the help of DFT modeling to unveil the roles of intermolecular forces and entropic effects in driving ligand exchange. It is finally suggested that similar considerations may apply to other ligands and to direct biligand synthesis.

Facile synthesis of stable, water soluble, dendron-coated gold nanoparticles

Upon reduction with sodium borohydride, diazonium tetrachloroaurate salts of triazine dendrons yield dendron-coated gold nanoparticles connected by a gold-carbon bond. These robust nanoparticles are stable in water and toluene solutions for longer than one year and present surface groups that can be reacted to change surface chemistry and manipulate solubility. Molecular modeling was used to provide insight on the hydration of the nanoparticles and their observed solubilties.

Click Chemistry-Mediated Nanosensors for Biochemical Assays

Click chemistry combined with functional nanoparticles have drawn increasing attention in biochemical assays because they are promising in developing biosensors with effective signal transformation/amplification and straightforward signal readout for clinical diagnostic assays. In this review, we focus on the latest advances of biochemical assays based on Cu (I)-catalyzed 1, 3-dipolar cycloaddition of azides and alkynes (CuAAC)-mediated nanosensors, as well as the functionalization of nanoprobes based on click chemistry. Nanoprobes including gold nanoparticles, quantum dots, magnetic nanoparticles and carbon nanomaterials are covered. We discuss the advantages of click chemistry-mediated nanosensors for biochemical assays, and give perspectives on the development of click chemistry-mediated approaches for clinical diagnosis and other biomedical applications.

One-step green synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles with ascorbic acid and their versatile surface post-functionalization

Gold and silver nanoparticles, with different sizes, have been synthesized using ascorbic acid which allows a versatile and simple post-functionalisation.

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles Capped with Quaterthiophene for Transistor and Resistor Memory Devices

Recently, the fabrication of nonvolatile memory devices based on gold nanoparticles has been intensively investigated. In this work, we report on the design and synthesis of new semiconducting quaterthiophene incorporating hexyl thiol group (4TT). Gold nanoparticles capped with4TT(4TTG) were prepared in a two-phase liquid-liquid system. These nanoparticles have diameters in the range 2–6 nm and are well dispersed in the poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) host matrix. The intermolecular interaction between4TTand P3HT could enhance the charge-transport between gold nanoparticles and P3HT. Transfer curve of transistor memory device made of4TTG/P3HT hybrid film exhibited significant current hysteresis, probably arising from the energy level barrier at4TTG/P3HT interface. Additionally, the polymer memory resistor structure with an active layer consisting of4TTGand P3HT displayed a remarkable electrical bistable behavior.

Charge Transfer at Hybrid Interfaces: Plasmonics of Aromatic Thiol-Capped Gold Nanoparticles

Although gold nanoparticles stabilized by organic thiols are the building blocks in a wide range of applications, the role of the ligands on the plasmon resonance of the metal core has been mostly ignored until now. Herein, a methodology based on the combination of spectroscopic ellipsometry and UV-vis spectroscopy is applied to extract dielectric functions of the different components. It is shown that aromatic thiols allow a significant charge transfer at the hybrid interface with the s and d bands of the gold core that yields "giant" red shifts of the plasmon band, up to 40 nm for spherical particles in the size range of 3-5 nm. These results suggest that hybrid nanoplasmonic devices may be designed through the suitable choice of metal core and organic components for optimized charge exchange.

Liquid-crystalline fullerene-gold nanoparticles

Liquid-crystalline [60]fullerene–gold nanoparticles were prepared by applying click chemistry. The materials display the smectic A phase and a good thermal stability.

Synthesis of water-compatible surface-imprinted polymer via click chemistry and RAFT precipitation polymerization for highly selective and sensitive electrochemical assay of fenitrothion

A novel water-compatible fenitrothion imprinted polymer was prepared on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) by click chemistry and reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) precipitation polymerization (RAFTPP). The RAFT chain-transfer agent was synthesized on the surface of AuNPs using click chemistry, then an imprinted polymer with hydrophilic polymer brushes was prepared on the RAFT chain-transfer agent modified AuNPs by RAFTPP, mediated by hydrophilic polyethylene glycol macromolecular cochain-transfer agent. The obtained molecularly imprinted material showed improved accessibility to fenitrothion and recognition property in water medium. When the material was immobilized on an ionic liquid functionalized graphene coated glassy carbon electrode for the electrochemical determination of fenitrothion, the resulting electrochemical sensor presented linear response in the range of 0.01-5 μM, with a sensitivity of 6.1 μA/μM mm(2). The low limit of detection was 8 nM (S/N=3). The sensor was successfully applied to the determination of real samples and the recovery for standard added was 95-108%.

Revisiting 30 years of biofunctionalization and surface chemistry of inorganic nanoparticles for nanomedicine

In the last 30 years we have assisted to a massive advance of nanomaterials in material science. Nanomaterials and structures, in addition to their small size, have properties that differ from those of larger bulk materials, making them ideal for a host of novel applications. The spread of nanotechnology in the last years has been due to the improvement of synthesis and characterization methods on the nanoscale, a field rich in new physical phenomena and synthetic opportunities. In fact, the development of functional nanoparticles has progressed exponentially over the past two decades. This work aims to extensively review 30 years of different strategies of surface modification and functionalization of noble metal (gold) nanoparticles, magnetic nanocrystals and semiconductor nanoparticles, such as quantum dots. The aim of this review is not only to provide in-depth insights into the different biofunctionalization and characterization methods, but also to give an overview of possibilities and limitations of the available nanoparticles.

Robust and specific ratiometric biosensing using a copper-free clicked quantum dot-DNA aptamer sensor

We report herein the successful preparation of a compact and functional CdSe-ZnS core-shell quantum dot (QD)-DNA conjugate via highly efficient copper-free "click chemistry" (CFCC) between a dihydro-lipoic acid-polyethylene glycol-azide (DHLA-PEG-N3) capped QD and a cyclooctyne modified DNA. This represents an excellent balance between the requirements of high sensitivity, robustness and specificity for the QD-FRET (Förster resonance energy transfer) based sensor as confirmed by a detailed FRET analysis on the QD-DNA conjugate, yielding a relatively short donor-acceptor distance of ~5.8 nm. We show that this CFCC clicked QD-DNA conjugate is not only able to retain the native fluorescence quantum yield (QY) of the parent DHLA-PEG-N3 capped QD, but also well-suited for robust and specific biosensing; it can directly quantitate, at the pM level, both labelled and unlabelled complementary DNA probes with a good SNP (single-nucleotide polymorphism) discrimination ability in complex media, e.g. 10% human serum via target-binding induced FRET changes between the QD donor and the dye acceptor. Furthermore, this sensor has also been successfully exploited for the detection, at the pM level, of a specific protein target (thrombin) via the encoded anti-thrombin aptamer sequence in the QD-DNA conjugate.

Controlling the physical and biological properties of highly fluorescent aqueous quantum dots using block copolymers of different size and shape

The phase transfer of fluorescent CdSe based quantum dots (QDs) while retaining their properties and offering some advantages concerning the stability and functionalization characteristics is an important and intensively investigated field of research. Here we report how to tune and control the properties of CdSe/CdS/ZnS core-shell-shell QDs in water, using poly(isoprene-block-ethylene oxide) (PI-b-PEO) as a versatile system of amphiphilic diblock copolymers for the micellular encapsulation of nanoparticles (NPs). We show the synthesis of a novel PI-b-(PEO)2 miktoarm star polymer and how this different architecture besides the variation of the polymers' molecular weight gives us the opportunity to control the size of the built constructs in water between 24 and 53 nm. Because of this size control, an upper limit of the construct's diameter for the cellular uptake could be determined by a systemic study with human alveolar epithelial cells (A549) and murine macrophage leukemia cell (RAW-264.7). Furthermore, fluorescence quenching experiments with copper(II) and iron(III) ions show a strong influence of the used polymer on the shielding against these ions. This enables us to control the permeability of the polymer shell from very porous shells, which allow an almost complete cation exchange up to very dense shells. These even offer the possibility to perform copper(I) catalyzed click reactions while keeping the fluorescence of the QDs. All these results underline the huge variability and controllability of the PI-b-PEO diblock copolymer system for the encapsulation and functionalization of nanoparticles for biological applications. As a general trend, it can be stated that those coatings, which were most stable against quenchers, also showed the best resistivity with respect to unspecific cellular uptake.

'Click' preparation of CuPt nanorod-anchored graphene oxide as a catalyst in water

In this paper, a simple and powerful method of producing nanoparticle-anchored graphene oxide (GO) composites using a 'click' reaction is demonstrated. This method affords a facile means of anchoring of nanoparticles with various shapes and sizes on the GO. CuPt nanorods with controlled size, aspect ratio (from 1 to 11), and uniformity are synthesized. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements are made to monitor the formation and characterize the properties of the CuPt nanorod-grafted GO composites. Their catalytic properties in the water phase are investigated using an o-phenylenediamine oxidation reaction. The results of this study clearly demonstrate that nonpolar CuPt nanorods immobilized on GO can function as a catalyst in an aqueous solution and that GO can be used as a catalytic nanorod support.

Click chemistry: a new facile and efficient strategy for the preparation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles covalently functionalized with IDA-Cu and their application in the depletion of abundant protein in blood samples

In this study, we report a novel method to synthesize core-shell structured Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (NPs) covalently functionalized with iminodiacetic acid (IDA) via click chemistry between the azide and alkyne groups and charged with Cu(2+). Firstly, the Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) NPs were obtained using tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) to form a silica shell on the surface of the Fe(3)O(4) core. The azide group-modified Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2) NPs were obtained by a sol-gel process using 3-azidopropyltriethoxysilane (AzPTES) as the silane agent. Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)-N(3) was directly reacted with N-propargyl iminodiacetic via click chemistry, in the presence of a Cu(I) catalyst, to acquire the IDA-modified Fe(3)O(4) NPs. Finally, through the addition of Cu(2+), the Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)-IDA-Cu NP product was obtained. The morphology, structure and composition of the NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The resulting NPs showed a strong magnetic response to an externally applied magnetic field, a high adsorption capacity and excellent specificity towards hemoglobin (Hb). In addition, the Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)-IDA-Cu NPs can be used for the selective removal of abundant Hb protein in bovine and human blood samples.

Conjugation of transferrin to azide-modified CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots using cyclooctyne click chemistry

Twinkle twinkle quantum dot: Conjugation of biomolecules to azide-modified quantum dots (QDs) through a bifunctional linker, using strain-promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition with the QD and a squaramide linkage to the biomolecule (see scheme). Transferrin-conjugated QDs were internalized by transferrin-receptor expressing HeLa cells.

Fluorescence in nanobiotechnology: sophisticated fluorophores for novel applications

Nanobiotechnology is one of the fastest growing and broadest-ranged interdisciplinary subfields of the nanosciences. Countless hybrid bio-inorganic composites are currently being pursued for various uses, including sensors for medical and diagnostic applications, light- and energy-harvesting devices, along with multifunctional architectures for electronics and advanced drug-delivery. Although many disparate biological and nanoscale materials will ultimately be utilized as the functional building blocks to create these devices, a common element found among a large proportion is that they exert or interact with light. Clearly continuing development will rely heavily on incorporating many different types of fluorophores into these composite materials. This review covers the growing utility of different classes of fluorophores in nanobiotechnology, from both a photophysical and a chemical perspective. For each major structural or functional class of fluorescent probe, several representative applications are provided, and the necessary technological background for acquiring the desired nano-bioanalytical information are presented.

Click dendrimers and triazole-related aspects: catalysts, mechanism, synthesis, and functions. A bridge between dendritic architectures and nanomaterials

One of the primary recent improvements in molecular chemistry is the now decade-old concept of click chemistry. Typically performed as copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne (CuAAC) Huisgen-type 1,3-cycloadditions, this reaction has many applications in biomedicine and materials science. The application of this chemistry in dendrimer synthesis beyond the zeroth generation and in nanoparticle functionalization requires stoichiometric use of the most common click catalyst, CuSO(4)·5H(2)O with sodium ascorbate. Efforts to develop milder reaction conditions for these substrates have led to the design of polydentate nitrogen ligands. Along these lines, we have described a new, efficient, practical, and easy-to-synthesize catalytic complex, [Cu(I)(hexabenzyltren)]Br, 1 [tren = tris(2-aminoethyl)amine], for the synthesis of relatively large dendrimers and functional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). This efficient catalyst can be used alone in 0.1% mol amounts for nondendritic click reactions or with the sodium-ascorbate additive, which inhibits aerobic catalyst oxidation. Alternatively, catalytic quantities of the air-stable compounds hexabenzyltren and CuBr added to the click reaction medium can provide analogously satisfactory results. Based on this catalyst as a core, we have also designed and synthesized analogous Cu(I)-centered dendritic catalysts that are much less air-sensitive than 1 and are soluble in organic solvents or in water (depending on the nature of the terminal groups). These multivalent catalysts facilitate efficient click chemistry and exert positive dendritic effects that mimic enzyme activity. We propose a monometallic CuAAC click mechanism for this process. Although the primary use of click chemistry with dendrimers has been to decorate dendrimers with a large number of molecules for medicinal or materials purposes, we are specifically interested in the formation of intradendritic [1,2,3]-triazole heterocycles that coordinate to transition-metal ions via their nitrogen atoms. We describe applications including molecular recognition of anions and cations and the stabilization of transition metal nanoparticles according to a principle pioneered by Crooks with poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers, and in particular, the control of structural and reactivity parameters in which the intradendritic [1,2,3]-triazoles and peripheral tripodal tri(ethylene glycol) termini play key roles in the click-dendrimer mediated synthesis and stabilization of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). By varying these parameters, we have stabilized water-soluble, weakly liganded AuNPs between 1.8 and 50 nm in size and have shown large differences in behavior between AuNPs and PdNPs. Overall, the new catalyst design and the possibilities of click dendrimer chemistry introduce a bridge between dendritic architectures and the world of nanomaterials for multiple applications.

Polyvalent DNA-graphene nanosheets "click" conjugates

Graphene is an increasingly important nanomaterial exhibiting great promise in the area of nanotechnology. In this study, the azide-functionalized graphene derivative was synthesized as the 'click' reagent for preparation of polyvalent DNA-graphene conjugates, which provide an effective and stable platform to construct new functional nano-architectures. Assembled with Au nanoparticles, the prepared Au-DNA-graphene nanocomplex exhibits excellent stability that could prevent the nanocomplex from being destroyed by surfactants. Assembled with DNA tetrahedron-structured probes (TSPs), the nanocomplex displays outstanding sensitive electrochemiluminescence properties, which might be used as a biosensor for DNA detection. Therefore, this DNA-graphene conjugates could be explored as the assembly unit for advanced DNA nano-architectures in the field of DNA nanotechnology.

One-pot synthesis of hybrid multifunctional silica nanoparticles with tunable coating by click chemistry in reverse w/o microemulsion

Multifunctional hybrid silica nanoparticles with a fluorescent core and tunable organic or polymeric shell can easily be prepared by a sol-gel process followed by 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) in the same reverse quaternary W/O microemulsion. Compared to a classical multistep process, this one-pot synthesis reduces greatly the number of purification steps and avoids aggregation phenomena. The confinement of reactants inside the micellar system gives rise to a noticeable increase of the CuAAC reaction rate. In addition, using simultaneously two different substrates for CuAAC on silica allows us to obtain directly multifunctional hybrid nanoparticles displaying a double grafting without any separation or purification steps except the final recovery by centrifugation, which opens the door to a tunable coating of the nanoparticles. Particularly, the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of the coating can be adjusted by implementing the pertinent MPEG:dodecyl azide ratio. As an application, the great versatility of this strategy has been proved by the one-pot synthesis of fluorescent silica nanoparticles with a PEG coating and encapsulating silver clusters.