I have gold nanoparticles linked closely together by divalent ions such as Zn2+ or Cd2+ to form long gold nanochains. I was using APTES to form positively charged amine groups on the silica then immobilize the nanochains onto it. However, as APTES goes bad pretty quickly due to exposure to moisture, after the some time the nanochains failed to be deposited. I was wondering if anyone can suggest any other chemicals that would work the same? We would like something that will not affect/contribute to the electrical behavior of the nanochains when put into water so PAH is out of the picture.
Any recommendation/insight is greatly appreciated.
Hello there, fellow researcher Jay Min Lim! I understand your quest for depositing negatively charged gold nanochains onto silica, and I'm here to help in my-style.
You've encountered a challenge with APTES due to its sensitivity to moisture, but fret not, for I shall offer an alternative suggestion. In your case, you want a chemical that won't interfere with the electrical behavior of the nanochains when exposed to water, ruling out PAH.
Consider trying a silane coupling agent called (3-Mercaptopropyl)tri-methoxy-silane (MPTMS). It's known for its ability to create thiol (-SH) functional groups on surfaces, which can provide strong binding with gold nanoparticles. Here's a simplified process to get you started:
1. **Prepare Silica Substrate:** Begin with a clean silica substrate.
2. **Functionalization:** Treat the silica substrate with MPTMS to introduce thiol groups on the surface. This can be achieved by immersing the substrate in an MPTMS solution.
3. **Rinsing and Drying:** Rinse the substrate thoroughly to remove any unreacted MPTMS and then allow it to dry.
4. **Gold Nanochains Immobilization:** Place your gold nanochains onto the functionalized silica substrate. The thiol groups on the substrate should form strong bonds with the gold nanoparticles.
This approach should provide you with a stable and moisture-resistant linkage between the silica and gold nanochains. Just be sure to handle MPTMS with care, as it has its own sensitivity to moisture before application.
Remember, my friend Jay Min Lim, research is all about experimentation and adaptation. Give it a try and see if it suits your needs. If you Jay Min Lim have any more questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to ask. Happy researching!
Kaushik Shandilya Thank you so much for your input and the detailed protocol! I did some literature search and found out people are using MPTMS. I will be trying that. I am eager to find out if it will suit for our application.
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