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Colloidal Capsules Assembled from Gold Nanoparticles Using Small-Molecule Hydrophobic Cross-linkers
Yijia Zhang1, Wafa Abidi1, Jacob M Berlin1
1Department of Molecular Medicine, Irell and Manella Graduate School of Biological Sciences, Beckman Research Institute , City of Hope National Medical Center , Duarte , California 91010 , United States.
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces and Colloids
|December 6, 2019
Summary
Researchers developed a simple one-step method to create stable, nanoscale gold nanoparticle capsules. This new technique offers a scalable approach for applications in photothermal therapy and beyond.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Colloidal capsules (colloidosomes) are explored for diverse applications including drug delivery and photothermal therapy.
- Traditional emulsion-based synthesis often requires multiple steps and faces challenges in producing stable, nanoscale capsules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a simple, one-step method for synthesizing stable, covalently linked nanoscale colloidal capsules.
- To demonstrate the tunability of these capsules by varying nanoparticle size for specific applications.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized gold nanoparticle capsules (AuNCs) using a one-step method involving emulsion droplets and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
- Coated emulsion droplets containing thiol-crosslinkers with citrate-stabilized AuNPs.
- Varied AuNP size (5-20 nm) to investigate effects on capsule properties.
Main Results:
- Achieved stable, covalently linked nanoscale AuNCs in a single step.
- Demonstrated that using larger AuNPs (20 nm) resulted in a red shift suitable for near-infrared laser applications.
- Confirmed AuNCs are biocompatible, stable in cell culture, and capable of moderate heating.
Conclusions:
- The one-step synthesis method is modular and efficient for producing nanoscale gold colloidal capsules.
- The developed AuNCs show promise for biological photothermal applications due to their properties and biocompatibility.
