Lipid bilayer templated gold nanoparticles nanoring formation using zirconium ion coordination chemistry

We used positively charged lipids to prepare lipid bilayer assemblies (LBAs) upon which we assembled negatively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). Treatment of the assembly with zirconium chloride resulted in the formation of nanorings of the diameters inversely related to the zirconium ion concentration. The nanorings were attributed to the zirconium ion coordinated AuNPs formed during the lipid bilayer budding process promoted by the acid effect of zirconium chloride. Nanoring organization was also dependent on the fluidity of lipid bilayers, an indication of LBA-assisted nanomaterials organization. We suggest that such bioorganic-inorganic hybrid assemblies coupled to unique topological and morphological variations might be useful as stimuli-responsive sensors or storage compartments for proteins or drugs.