title: Controlled interparticle spacing through self-assembly of Au nanoparticles and poly(amidoamine) dendrimers.
abstract: Control of particle-particle spacing is a key determinant of optical, electronic, and magnetic properties of nanocomposite materials. We have used poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers to assemble carboxylic acid-functionalized mixed monolayer protected clusters (MMPCs) through acid/base chemistry between the particle and dendrimer. Small angle X-ray scattering was then used to establish average inter-MMPC distances. Five generations of PAMAM dendrimer (0, 1, 2, 4, 6) were investigated, with a monotonic increase in interparticle spacing from 4.1 to 6.1 nm observed with increasing generation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
authors.forename: Benjamin L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Frankamp
authors.forename: Andrew K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Boal
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Rotello