title: Enhanced stability and bioconjugation of photo-cross-linked polystyrene-shell, Au-core nanoparticles.
abstract: Encapsulating Au nanoparticles within a shell of photo-cross-linked block copolymer surfactant dramatically improves the physical and chemical stability of the nanoparticles, particularly when they are applied as bioconjugates. Photo-cross-linkable block copolymer amphiphiles [polystyrene-co-poly(4-vinyl benzophenone)]-block-poly(acrylic acid) [(PS-co-PVBP)-b-PAA] and [poly(styrene)-co-poly(4-vinyl benzophenone)]-block-poly(ethylene oxide) [(PS-co-PVBP)-b-PEO] were assembled around Au nanoparticles ranging from 12 to 108 nm in diameter. UV irradiation cross-linked the PVBP groups on the polymer to yield particles that withstood extremes of temperature, ionic strength, and chemical etching. Streptavidin was attached to [PS-co-PVBP]-b-PAA-coated particles using the same noncovalent and covalent conjugation protocols used to bind biomolecules to divinylbenzene-cross-linked PS microspheres. We expect that these particles will be useful as plasmonic, highly light-scattering and light-absorbing analogs to fluorescently labeled PS nanospheres.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 207 Pleasant Street SE, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Juhee
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Alexi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: T Andrew
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Taton
mesh_terms: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents / Q000737:chemistry*; D005452:Fluoresceins / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011137:Polystyrenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D016062:Porosity; D020058:Styrene / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D003432:Cross-Linking Reagents; D005452:Fluoresceins; D011137:Polystyrenes; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D020058:Styrene; D006046:Gold