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- Nanoparticles (3) (entfernen)
Synthesis and characterisation of highly fluorescent core-shell nanoparticles based on Alexa dyes
(2012)
Current and future developments in the
emerging field of nanobiotechnology are closely
linked to the rational design of novel fluorescent
nanomaterials, e.g. for biosensing and imaging applications.
Here, the synthesis of bright near infrared
(NIR)-emissive nanoparticles based on the grafting
of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) with 3-aminopropyl
triethoxysilane (APTES) followed by covalent attachment
of Alexa dyes and their subsequent shielding by an
additional silica shell are presented. These nanoparticles
were investigated by dynamic light scattering (DLS),
transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence
spectroscopy. TEM studies revealed the monodispersity
of the initially prepared and fluorophorelabelled
silica particles and the subsequent formation of
raspberry-like structures after addition of a silica
precursor.Measurements of absolute fluorescence quantum
yields of these scattering particle suspensions with
an integrating sphere setup demonstrated the influence
of dye labelling density-dependent fluorophore aggregation
on the signaling behaviour of such nanoparticles.
The need for a better understanding of nanoparticleprotein interactions and the mechanisms governing the resulting colloidal stability has been emphasised in recent years. In the present contribution, the short and long term colloidal stability of silica nanoparticles (SNPs) and silica–poly(ethylene glycol) nanohybrids (Sil–PEG) have been scrutinised in a protein model system. Well-defined silica nanoparticles are rapidly covered by bovine serum albumin (BSA) and form small clusters after 20 min while large agglomerates are detected after 10 h depending on both particle size and nanoparticle–protein ratio. Oppositely, Sil–PEG hybrids present suppressive protein adsorption and enhanced short and long term colloidal stability in protein solution. No critical agglomeration was found for either system in the absence of protein, proving that instability found for SNPs must arise as a consequence of protein adsorption and not to high ionic environment. Analysis of the small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) structure factor indicates a short-range attractive potential between particles in the silica-BSA system, which is in good agreement with a protein bridging agglomeration mechanism. The results presented here point out the importance of the nanoparticle surface properties on the ability to adsorb proteins and how the induced or depressed adsorption may potentially drive the resulting colloidal stability.
The size, surface charge and agglomeration state of nanoparticles under physiological conditions are fundamental parameters to be determined prior to their application in toxicological studies. Although silica-based materials are among the most promising candidates for biomedical applications, more systematic studies concerning the characterisation before performing toxicological studies are necessary. This interest is based on the necessity to elucidate the mechanisms affecting its toxicity. We present here TEM, SAXS and SMPS as a combination of methods allowing an accurate determination of single nanoparticle sizes. For the commercial material, Ludox TM50 single particle sizes around 30 nm were found in solution. DLS measurements of single particles are rather affected by polydispersity and particles concentration but this technique is useful to monitor their agglomeration state. Here, the influence of nanoparticle concentration, ionic strength (IS), pH and bath sonication on the agglomeration behaviour of silica particles in solution has been systematically investigated. Moreover, the colloidal stability of silica particles in the presence of BSA has been investigated showing a correlation between silica and protein concentrations and the formation of agglomerates. Finally, the colloidal stability of silica particles in standard cell culture medium has been tested, concluding the necessity of surface modification in order to preserve silica as primary particles in the presence of serum. The results presented here have major implications on toxicity investigations because silica agglomeration will change the probability and uptake mechanisms and thereby may affect toxicity.