Block Copolymer Supported Gold Nanoparticles Assemblies with Exposed Gold Surface

Polymer-involved nanoparticles or nanoparticle assemblies are now facing a crossroad, where the exposure of nanoparticle and multiple nanoparticles cannot be obtained at the same time. Therefore, a new series of nanoparticle clusters is synthesized, where multiple gold nanoparticles assemble with amphiphilic block copolymers supporting inside. The exposure of gold nanoparticles of the structure is confirmed and increases the reduction rate of 4-nitrophenol by 60%. The assemblies can also be used as surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) probes with an enhancement factor(EF) as high as 3x10(3).

Automated summary

A new series of nanoparticle clusters, where multiple gold nanoparticles assemble with amphiphilic block copolymers, have been synthesized. The exposure of gold nanoparticles in the structure has been confirmed, resulting in a 60% increase in the reduction rate of 4-nitrophenol. These assemblies can also serve as surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) probes with a high enhancement factor (EF) of 3x10(3).