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Updated: Jul 19, 2026
08:21
A Simple Method for the Size Controlled Synthesis of Stable Oligomeric Clusters of Gold Nanoparticles under Ambient Conditions
Published on: February 5, 2016
The tuneable complexation of gold nanoparticles.
Graeme Cooke1, James F Garety, Shanika Gunatilaka Hewage
1WestCHEM Centre for Supramolecular Electrochemistry, Department of Chemistry, Joseph Black Building, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK. graemec@chem.gla.ac.uk
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|October 7, 2006
Summary
Researchers created gold nanoparticles that form complexes with a specific cyclophane. These complexes can be disassembled using electrochemical reduction or by adding tetrathiafulvalene, demonstrating controlled molecular assembly.
Area of Science:
- Supramolecular chemistry
- Nanotechnology
- Materials science
Background:
- Monolayer protected gold nanoparticles offer tunable properties.
- Cyclophane molecules are known for their host-guest complexation abilities.
- Controlling molecular assembly and disassembly is crucial for advanced materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate gold nanoparticles functionalized with 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene.
- To investigate the complexation of these nanoparticles with tetracationic cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene).
- To explore methods for controlled disassembly of the resulting supramolecular complexes.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of mixed monolayer protected gold nanoparticles.
- Incorporation of 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene moieties onto nanoparticle surfaces.
- Complexation studies with cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene).
- Disassembly studies via electrochemical reduction and chemical addition (tetrathiafulvalene).
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated gold nanoparticles with 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene.
- Demonstrated complex formation between functionalized nanoparticles and the tetracationic cyclophane.
- Achieved disassembly of the complexes through electrochemical reduction of the cyclophane.
- Confirmed disassembly upon addition of tetrathiafulvalene.
Conclusions:
- 1,5-dialkyloxynaphthalene-functionalized gold nanoparticles can form stable complexes with cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene).
- The supramolecular assembly can be controllably disassembled using external stimuli (electrochemical reduction or chemical addition).
- This work provides a foundation for designing responsive nanomaterials based on host-guest chemistry.
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