Directed Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticle Superstructures Using Self-Assembling Peptoids Containing Metal-Bonding N-Heterocyclic Carbenes
- Author(s)
- Lingcong Ge, Thi Kim Hoang Trinh, Changning Li, Florian Mayer, Jia Min Chin, Chun-Long Chen, Michael R Reithofer
- Abstract
N-Heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands, with strong metal-binding affinity, offer a robust platform for constructing organic-inorganic nanohybrids with high stability and tunable properties. However, achieving precise structural control in a simple manner remains challenging. Here, we report a one-pot synthesis of nanohybrids using self-assembling peptoids functionalized with histidine-2-ylidene, which simultaneously enable peptoid assembly and NHC-metal binding. Histidine-2-ylidene-functionalized peptoids were designed to self-assemble and provide NHC binding sites, while AuNPs served as the inorganic component due to NHCs' strong affinity for gold surfaces. The resulting peptoid-NHC@AuNPs form well-defined vesicles that are characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Importantly, the vesicle size and morphology can be tuned via the peptoid sequence or environmental conditions. Further experiments highlight the crucial role of the NHC sites in the formation and stabilization of these nanohybrids. This modular strategy offers a versatile route to fabricating functional NHC-based nanohybrids for potential applications in sensing.
- Organisation(s)
- Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Department of Materials Chemistry, Department of Functional Materials and Catalysis
- External organisation(s)
- Vienna Doctoral School in Chemistry (DoSChem), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, University of Washington
- Journal
- Nano Letters
- Volume
- 25
- Pages
- 12049-12058
- No. of pages
- 10
- ISSN
- 1530-6984
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c02998
- Publication date
- 07-2025
- Peer reviewed
- Yes
- Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 204001 Inorganic chemical technology, 104003 Inorganic chemistry, 210004 Nanomaterials
- Keywords
- ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Bioengineering, General Chemistry, General Materials Science, Condensed Matter Physics, Mechanical Engineering
- Portal url
- https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/5b95d952-9e62-43fd-a1f8-9d3b7210f2bf