title: Pillar[5]arene-mediated synthesis of gold nanoparticles: size control and sensing capabilities.
abstract: We present a simple procedure for the synthesis of quasi-spherical Au nanoparticles in a wide size range mediated by macrocyclic host molecules, ammonium pillar[5]arene (AP[5]A). The strategy is based on a seeded growth process in which the water-soluble pillar[5]arene undergoes complexation of the Au salt through the ammonium groups, thereby avoiding Au nucleation, while acting as a stabilizer. The presence of the pillar[5]arene onto the Au nanoparticle particle surface is demonstrated by surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy, and the most probable conformation of the molecule when adsorbed on the Au nanoparticles surface is suggested on the basis of theoretical calculations. In addition, we analyze the host-guest interactions of the AP[5]A with 2-naphthoic acid (2NA) by using (1)H NMR spectroscopy and the results are compared with theoretical calculations. Finally, the promising synergetic effects of combining supramolecular chemistry and metal nanoparticles are demonstrated through SERS detection in water of 2NA and a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, pyrene (PYR).
authors.affiliation: Departamento Química Física, Universidade de Vigo, 36310 Vigo (Spain).
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Montes-García
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández-López
authors.forename: Borja
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gómez
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pérez-Juste
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: García-Río
authors.forename: Luis M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Liz-Marzán
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pérez-Juste
authors.forename: Isabel
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pastoriza-Santos
mesh_terms: D047250:Calixarenes; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D009281:Naphthalenes / Q000737:chemistry; D010316:Particle Size; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman
chemical_list: D009281:Naphthalenes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; C570642:pillar(5)arene; D047250:Calixarenes; D006046:Gold; C030037:2-naphthoic acid
keywords: gold; host-guest chemistry; macrocycles; nanoparticles; surface chemistry