The development of gold nanoparticles labelled with transition metal complexes for imaging applications

Rogers, Nicola Jane (2014). The development of gold nanoparticles labelled with transition metal complexes for imaging applications. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

13 nm and 100 nm citrate-stabilised gold nanoparticles are used as inert scaffolds for the assembly of multiple transition metal lumiphores, and thiol-appended ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes have been synthesised for surface-attachment. The direct attachment of cationic lumiphores to citrate-stabilised gold colloids with negative zeta potentials, affords nanoparticle aggregation, due to loss of electrostatic stabilisation. In order to circumvent this problem, a surfactant pre-coating step has been implemented, and the following commercial surfactants have been evaluated: Triton™ X-100, TWEEN® 20, and Zonyl® 7950. Gold nanoparticles coated with Zonyl® 7950 fluorosurfactant can be functionalised with cationic lumiphores and colloidal stability is maintained even at high nanoparticle concentrations, i.e. 9 nM. The fluorosurfactant not only ensures colloidal stability, but also enhances the emission of the ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) complexes investigated. Importantly, the complexes attached on the resultant luminescent nanoprobes do not exhibit luminescence quenching from the gold nanoparticles. Imaging applications of the resultant luminescent nanoparticles have been demonstrated in in vitro cellular uptake studies and in blood flow particle tracking within the microvasculature.

Furthermore, gold nanoparticles have been co-coated with lumiphores and both functional peptides, for targeted delivery in cells, and gadolinium(III) complexes, in order to realise imaging probes for both luminescence and MRI detection.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

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