title: Polyvinyl alcohol as a biocompatible alternative for the passivation of gold nanorods.
abstract: The functionalization of gold nanorods (GNRs) with polymers is essential for both their colloidal stability and biocompatibility. However, a bilayer of the toxic cationic surfactant cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) adsorbed on the nanorods complicates this process. Herein, we report on a strategy for the biocompatible functionalization of GNRs with a hydrophobic polymeric precursor, polyvinyl acetate, which is then transformed into its hydrophilic analogue, polyvinyl alcohol. This polymer was chosen due to its well-established biocompatibility, tunable "stealth" properties, tunable hydrophobicity, and high degree of functionality. The biocompatibility of the functionalized GNRs was tested by exposing them to primary human blood monocyte derived macrophages; the advantages of tunable hydrophobicity were demonstrated with the long-term stable encapsulation of a model hydrophobic drug molecule.
authors: Adolphe Merkle Institut, Universität Freiburg, 1723 Marly (Switzerland); Department Chemie, Universität Freiburg, 1700 Freiburg (Switzerland).
authors: Calum
authors: C
authors: Kinnear
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Burnand
authors: Martin J D
authors: MJ
authors: Clift
authors: Andreas F M
authors: AF
authors: Kilbinger
authors: Barbara
authors: B
authors: Rothen-Rutishauser
authors: Alke
authors: A
authors: Petri-Fink
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000077286:Cetrimonium; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000737:chemistry*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002593:Cetrimonium Compounds; D006046:Gold; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D000077286:Cetrimonium
keywords: colloids; cytotoxicity; gold; nanoparticles; polymers