Glucosamine Phosphate Induces AuNPs Aggregation and Fusion into Easily Functionalizable Nanowires

The challenge to obtain plasmonic nanosystems absorbing light in the near infrared is always open because of the interest that such systems pose in applications such as nanotherapy or nanodiagnostics. Here we describe the synthesis in an aqueous solution devoid of any surfactant of Au-nanowires of controlled length and reasonably narrow dimensional distribution starting from Au-nanoparticles by taking advantage of the properties of glucosamine phosphate under aerobic conditions and substoichiometric nanoparticle passivation. Oxygen is required to enable the process where glucosamine phosphate is oxidized to glucosaminic acid phosphate and H₂O₂ is produced. The process leading to the nanosystems comprises nanoparticles growth, their aggregation into necklace-like aggregates, and final fusion into nanowires. The fusion requires the consumption of H₂O₂. The nanowires can be passivated with an organic thiol, lyophilized, and resuspended in water without losing their dimensional and optical properties. The position of the broad surface plasmon band of the nanowires can be tuned from 630 to >1350 nm.