Polyvinyl Alcohol as a Biocompatible Alternative for the Passivation of Gold Nanorods

• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201404100
• Publication Date: 2014-07-23T19:31:41Z
• Authors: Calum Kinnear; David Burnand; Martin J. D. Clift; Andreas F. M. Kil...; Barbara Rothen‐Ru...; Alke Petri‐Fink
• Keywords: Nanotubes; Cetrimonium; Macrophages; Polyvinyl Alcohol; Cetrimonium Compounds; Humans; Biocompatible Materials; Gold; 01 natural sciences; Cells, Cultured; 0104 chemical sciences

AbstractThe functionalization of gold nanorods (GNRs) with polymers is essential for both their colloidal stability and biocompatibility. However, a bilayer of the toxic cationic surfactant cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) adsorbed on the nanorods complicates this process. Herein, we report on a strategy for the biocompatible functionalization of GNRs with a hydrophobic polymeric precursor, polyvinyl acetate, which is then transformed into its hydrophilic analogue, polyvinyl alcohol. This polymer was chosen due to its well‐established biocompatibility, tunable “stealth” properties, tunable hydrophobicity, and high degree of functionality. The biocompatibility of the functionalized GNRs was tested by exposing them to primary human blood monocyte derived macrophages; the advantages of tunable hydrophobicity were demonstrated with the long‐term stable encapsulation of a model hydrophobic drug molecule.