title: Dendron-protected Au nanoparticles--effect of dendritic structure on chemical stability.
abstract: A series of gold nanoparticles stabilised by 'Newkome-type' dendritic branching has been synthesised and fully characterised. In particular, the properties and behaviour of these hybrid materials are compared with those of a previously reported set of nanoparticles stabilised by dendrons constructed using l-lysine building blocks. The rates of cyanide-induced nanoparticle decomposition were determined, and it was found that the rate of decomposition increased on the introduction of dendritic branching. Furthermore, 'Newkome-type' dendrons were significantly more effective at protecting the encapsulated gold nanoparticle than the l-lysine based dendrons. It is proposed that this observation can be explained on the basis of more effective packing and surface coverage by the 'Newkome-type' dendrons. Importantly, this study therefore demonstrates that the organic chemical structure of dendritic ligands plays a crucial role in controlling the reactivity of self-assembled hybrid nanostructures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
authors.forename: Christine S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Ian
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ashworth
authors.forename: Colin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Chechik
authors.forename: David K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Smith
mesh_terms: D000873:Anthracenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D050091:Dendrimers / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D008024:Ligands; D015394:Molecular Structure; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000873:Anthracenes; D050091:Dendrimers; D008024:Ligands; C501244:dendron; D006046:Gold