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Amylopectin-g-Poly(Acrylic Acid): Synthesis and Application as Reduction Agent for In Situ Formation of Gold
Melinda-Maria Bazarghideanu1, Marius-Mihai Zaharia1, Florin Bucatariu1
1Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Romanian Academy, 41A Grigore Ghica Voda Alley, 700487 Iasi, Romania.
Polymers
|July 15, 2026
Summary
A novel hybrid graft copolymer, amylopectin-graft-poly(acrylic acid) (AMP-g-PAA), was synthesized and used to create gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) through an eco-friendly process. The resulting AuNPs showed no added cytotoxicity, indicating potential for biomedical applications.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Development of advanced hybrid graft copolymers for novel applications.
- Need for environmentally friendly synthesis methods for nanoparticles.
- Exploration of biocompatible materials for biomedical uses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize a novel amylopectin-graft-poly(acrylic acid) (AMP-g-PAA) copolymer.
- To utilize the AMP-g-PAA copolymer as a mediator for the green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs).
- To evaluate the properties and potential biomedical applications of the synthesized AuNPs.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization.
- Grafting of poly(acrylic acid) onto amylopectin to form the AMP-g-PAA copolymer.
- Characterization using ATR-FTIR, NMR (1D and 2D), thermogravimetric analysis, DLS, and ELS.
- Green synthesis of AuNPs using the AMP-g-PAA copolymer as a reducing and stabilizing agent.
- Analysis of AuNPs using UV-vis spectroscopy, DLS, and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM).
- Cytotoxicity assessment of the copolymer and AuNPs.
Main Results:
- Successful synthesis and confirmation of the AMP-g-PAA copolymer structure and properties.
- Demonstrated amphiphilic nature of the copolymer and its enhanced thermal stability.
- Environmentally friendly in situ synthesis of well-dispersed, spherical AuNPs.
- AuNPs synthesized under optimized conditions (0.36 inorganic/polymer ratio, 60 °C) exhibited desirable characteristics.
- The synthesized AuNPs showed no significant increase in cytotoxicity compared to the parent copolymer.
Conclusions:
- The AMP-g-PAA copolymer is a versatile platform for the green synthesis of AuNPs.
- The hybrid copolymer enhances thermal stability and provides amphiphilic properties.
- The synthesized AuNPs possess favorable characteristics for potential biomedical applications.
- The composite material demonstrates a promising safety profile for further investigation.
