Gold Nanoparticle/Carbazole Dendron Hybrids

The synthesis, spectral properties, and electropolymerization of hybrid gold nanoparticle core/carbazole dendron shells are reported. Ligand exchange of short-chain alkane thiol stabilized Au-NP is compared with direct synthesis using peripheral carbazole dendron ligands. Optical spectra, light scattering, TEM, and electron diffraction data confirm size, polydispersity, and composition. The direct synthesis route yields higher carbazole surface functionality. Higher dendron generation yields larger carbazole species on the surface. The advantage of a larger Au-NP core is highlighted in terms of conformational mobility and electropolymerizability to form pi-conjugated polycarbazole species. Absorption and fluorescence shift is observed with the electropolymerized film.