Efficient Stabilization and Functionalization of Large Gold Nanoparticles Using N-Heterocyclic Carbenes-Based Polymer...

Nanoparticles (NPs) are among the most extensively studied nanomaterials; however, stabilizing and functionalizing large nanoparticles (NPs) remains a persistent challenge in nanomaterials research. Here, we present a robust strategy employing N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC)-anchored polymer ligands to stabilize and functionalize gold NPs (AuNPs) with diameters ranging from 15 to 106 nm. The resulting AuNPs exhibit outstanding colloidal stability across diverse solvents and under harsh conditions, including prolonged heating up to 135°C. The polymer ligands further enable in situ incorporation of various functional groups onto the AuNP surface through efficient ammonolysis reactions under both acid and basic conditions. The surface-functionalized AuNPs can interact with polymer or other NPs bearing complementary reactive groups, allowing tunable surface chemistry and the formation of defined NP assemblies. This NHC-polymer-based approach offers a versatile platform for producing stable, functional large AuNPs, thereby expanding their potential applications in catalysis, optics, and biomedical fields.