Hello,
I have been working on a copper deposition process that leaves a superficial residue layer. This layer makes acetic acid treatment for oxide removal very ineffective. However, I was able to remove it using manual griding. I want to know exactly what this layer is made of. Someone has pointed out that most likely it is a carboxyl group-based substance. As such, it could be easily identified using functionalized gold nanoparticles that strongly attach to the COOH group. Conversely, non-functionalized nanoparticles should not attach to it and, therefore, be easily washed away. This was suggested because, in biological research, f-Au NPs are a great tool to diagnose the presence or absence of certain molecules by strongly attaching to them, and we wanted to use the same principle here. My question is, which functional group is most appropriate for this identification process? Any vendor suggestions would be of great help. I don't have a strong chemistry background, hence my question.
Thanks in advance for any help!
Hello there! It's great to see your enthusiasm for your research project. Using functionalized gold nanoparticles for the identification of carboxyl groups sounds like a promising approach. The functional group that is typically used to target carboxyl groups is amino (-NH2) functional groups. These amino-functionalized gold nanoparticles (f-Au NPs) can form strong interactions with carboxyl groups through hydrogen bonding. Here's a bit more detail:
1. **Amino-functionalized gold nanoparticles (f-Au NPs):** These nanoparticles are typically coated with amino groups, which can form hydrogen bonds with carboxyl groups (COOH). When carboxyl groups are present on a surface, the amino groups on the f-Au NPs will attach to them, creating a strong and specific interaction. This interaction can be detected and quantified, providing a means to identify the presence of carboxyl groups.
2. **Non-functionalized gold nanoparticles:** These nanoparticles don't have specific functional groups for targeting carboxyl groups. They won't interact strongly with carboxyl groups and can be easily washed away, as you mentioned.
As for vendor suggestions, various chemical suppliers offer functionalized gold nanoparticles. While I don't have real-time access to current information, some well-known chemical suppliers include Sigma-Aldrich (now part of Merck), Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Alfa Aesar. You Luis Felipe Gerlein can check with these suppliers or search online to find suitable amino-functionalized gold nanoparticles for your research.
Since you Luis Felipe Gerlein mentioned that you don't have a strong chemistry background, I would also recommend working with a collaborator or expert in the field who can guide you in selecting the right nanoparticles and assist with the experimental procedures.
Your approach seems quite innovative, and I wish you the best of luck with your research project! If you have more questions or need further assistance, please feel free to ask.
Thanks for your answer Kaushik Shandilya , very thorough and helpful. I will check those gold NPs with amino groups. Cheers!
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