Langmuir, Vol.28, No.32, 11929-11937, 2012
Gold Nanoparticles Functionalized with Deep-Cavity Cavitands: Synthesis, Characterization, and Photophysical Studies
In this report, we present methods of functionalization of AuNP's with deep-cavity cavitands that can include organic molecules. Two types of deep-cavity cavitand-functionalized AuNP's have been synthesized and characterized, one soluble in organic solvents and the other in water. Functionalized AuNP soluble in organic solvents forms a 1:1 host guest complex where the guest exposed to the exterior solvents. The one soluble in water forms a 2:1 host guest complex where the guest is protected from solvent water. Phosphorescence from thiones and benzil included within hetero-capsules attached to AuNP was quenched by gold atoms present closer to the guests included within deep-cavity cavitands. During this investigation, we have synthesized four new deep-cavity cavitands. Of these, two thiol-functionalized hosts allowed us to make stable AuNP's. However, AuNP's protected with two amine-functionalized cavitands tended to aggregate within a day.