Light-Responsive Gold Nanoparticle Vesicles Based on Oligo(ethylene glycol)-Terminated Azophenol Ligands
Jinjian Wei1, Wenxiu An1, Lengbing Chen1
1College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Shandong Normal University, Jinan 250014, P. R. China.
The Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters
|August 21, 2025
Summary
Researchers developed light-responsive gold nanoparticle vesicles (GNVs) using a novel ligand. These GNVs can reversibly assemble and disassemble into complex structures with UV and visible light, enabling programmable nanomaterials.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Self-assembly of nanoparticles is crucial for creating advanced materials.
- Controlling nanoparticle assembly with external stimuli like light offers precise fabrication methods.
- Azobenzene-containing ligands are known for their photoresponsive properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the self-assembly of gold nanoparticles functionalized with a tri(ethylene glycol)-terminated azophenol ligand (TrAL).
- To explore the light-induced reversible assembly and disassembly of these gold nanoparticle vesicles (GNVs).
- To demonstrate the potential of TrAL-functionalized GNVs as programmable nanoscale platforms.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of gold nanoparticle vesicles (GNVs) using 10 nm gold nanoparticles and TrAL ligand in tetrahydrofuran (THF).
- Irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light (365 nm) to induce trans-to-cis photoisomerization of azophenol moieties.
- Exposure to visible light (450 nm) to reverse the photoisomerization and restore the original state.
- Characterization of self-assembly and disassembly processes using appropriate analytical techniques.
Main Results:
- TrAL ligand self-assembled with gold nanoparticles into vesicles (GNVs) driven by solvophobic effects.
- UV irradiation triggered secondary self-assembly into hierarchical aggregates via altered ligand interactions.
- Visible light successfully reversed the aggregation, restoring the dispersed vesicular state.
- The system demonstrated excellent cyclability over multiple light-induced assembly/disassembly cycles.
Conclusions:
- TrAL-functionalized GNVs exhibit dynamic, light-responsive behavior for controlled colloidal assembly.
- This photoswitchable system allows for precise, reversible control over nanoparticle organization.
- Potential applications include adaptive photonics and reconfigurable soft materials requiring spatiotemporal control.
