A Versatile AuNP Synthetic Platform for Decoupled Control of Size and Surface Composition

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.8b00353
• Publication Date: 2018-05-16T23:51:23Z
• Authors: Ye Yang; Luis A. Serrano; Stefan Guldin
• Keywords: Oleylamine; Surface Modification; Thiol

While a plethora of protocols exist for the synthesis sub-10-nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), independent control over size and surface composition remains restricted. This poses particular challenge systematic studies AuNP structure–function relationships optimization crucial design parameters. To this end, we report on modular two-step approach based AuNPs in oleylamine (OAm) followed by subsequent functionalization with thiol ligands mixtures thereof. The OAm-capped enables fine-tuning core range 2–7 nm varying reaction temperature. thiol-for-OAm ligand exchange allows reliable generation thiol-capped target functionality. compatibility vast library provides detailed mixed solubility wide solvents ranging from water to hexane. decoupled shell powerful toolbox methodical screening optimal parameters facile preparation properties.