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Updated: Nov 2, 2025
Flash NanoPrecipitation for the Encapsulation of Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Compounds in Polymeric Nanoparticles
Published on: January 7, 2019
Rendering hydrophobic nanoclusters water-soluble and biocompatible
Xi Kang1, Xiao Wei1, Pan Xiang2
1Department of Chemistry and Centre for Atomic Engineering of Advanced Materials, Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chemistry for Inorganic/Organic Hybrid Functionalized Materials, Key Laboratory of Structure and Functional Regulation of Hybrid Materials of Ministry of Education, Anhui University Hefei 230601 P. R. China ixing@ahu.edu.cn zmz@ahu.edu.cn.
This study introduces a novel micellization strategy using sodium cations to make hydrophobic silver nanoclusters water-soluble. This breakthrough enables new applications for biocompatible nanomaterials in aqueous environments.
Area of Science:
- * Nanomaterials Science
- * Inorganic Chemistry
- * Materials Chemistry
Background:
- * Hydrophobic and hydrophilic nanoclusters possess distinct advantages.
- * Integrating hydrophobic cluster precision with hydrophilic cluster water solubility is a significant challenge.
- * Current methods for achieving this integration are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To develop a versatile strategy for rendering hydrophobic nanoclusters water-soluble.
- * To overcome the challenge of combining atomic precision with aqueous dissolvability.
- * To demonstrate the general applicability of the proposed micellization approach.
Main Methods:
- * Micellization of hydrophobic [Ag29(SSR)12(PPh3)4]3- nanoclusters using solvent-conjoined Na+ cations (Na1(NMP)5 or Na3(DMF)12).
- * Characterization using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and aberration-corrected high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM).
- * Evaluation of the water-soluble nanocluster's performance in cell staining.
Main Results:
- * Hydrophobic Ag29 nanoclusters demonstrated good solubility in aqueous solutions via micellization.
- * Na+ cations acted as both counterions and surface cosolvents, facilitating micelle formation.
- * DLS and HAADF-STEM confirmed micellization triggers the phase transfer of Ag29 into water.
- * The resulting [Ag29(SSR)12(PPh3)4]3-[Na1(NMP)5]3+ nanoclusters exhibited excellent water solubility and stability.
- * Successful application in cell staining was demonstrated, validating the strategy's potential.
Conclusions:
- * A convenient and efficient micellization strategy was established for preparing water-soluble hydrophobic nanoclusters.
- * This approach successfully combines the atomic precision of hydrophobic clusters with aqueous dissolvability.
- * The method offers a versatile pathway for developing cluster-based, biocompatible nanomaterials.
- * The strategy shows broad applicability for creating advanced nanomaterials in aqueous systems.
