Pluronics-stabilized gold nanoparticles: investigation of the structure of the polymer-particle hybrid.
Hybrid gold-polymer nanoparticles are obtained by self-assembly of amphiphilic copolymers (Pluronics) in solutions containing preformed gold nanoparticles (diameter ca. 12 nm). Dynamic light scattering, TEM, cryo-TEM, and small-angle neutron scattering experiments with contrast variation are used to characterize the structure of the gold-polymer particles. Five Pluronics (F127, F68, F88, F108, P84) with different molecular weights and hydrophilic/hydrophobic balances are investigated. Gold nanoparticles are individually embedded within globules of polymer, even under conditions for which Pluronics micelles do not form in solution. The hybrid particles are several tens of nanometers in size (larger than micelles of the corresponding Pluronics), and the size can be tuned by changing the temperature.
Rahme
Kamil
K
Laboratoire des IMRCP, CNRS UMR 5623, Université de Toulouse, 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9, France.
Oberdisse
Julian
J
Schweins
Ralf
R
Gaillard
Cédric
C
Marty
Jean-Daniel
JD
Mingotaud
Christophe
C
Gauffre
Fabienne
F
D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D008027:Light; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D008823:Micelles; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010316:Particle Size; D020442:Poloxamer / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012542:Scattering, Radiation; D012996:Solutions / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013696:Temperature
D008823:Micelles; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D020442:Poloxamer; D006046:Gold