Discriminated properties of PEI functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au-PEIs) predetermined by synthetic routes of ligand exchange and reduction processes: Paths and Fates

Published

June 17, 2019

Author(s)

Tae Joon Cho, John M. Pettibone, Vincent A. Hackley

Abstract

Polyethyleneimine (PEI) functionalized AuNPs (Au-PEIs) are have potent as positively charged gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) for nano-medicinal applications, due to their cationic surfaces that promote cellular uptake and gene transfection. 1-6 1-6 1-61-6 Au-PEIs can be prepared by one of two methods: (1) ligand modification (exchange or co-attachment) of AuNPs and PEI, and (2) reduction of AuIII ions in the presence of PEI. Herein, the ligand exchanged Au-PEIs (Au- PEI[LE]s) and the materials by reduction (Au-PEI[Red]s) were prepared from citrate-stabilized AuNPs (10 nm, nominal) and HAuCl4, respectively. We demonstrate differentiated product formation via each synthetic route and their discriminated physico-chemical properties by systematic examination. The physico-chemical properties and the conjugation mechanisms of Au- PEI[LE] and Au-PEI[Red] were characterized by orthogonal analyses system. Furthermore, the colloidal stabilities of all produced Au-PEIs were investigated under various physiologically relevant conditions and shown that the consequential fates of Au-PEIs were dependent on born pathways significantly. We found that some of Au-PEIs showed outstanding stability in certain circumstances which is very critical to be a drug carrier in nanomedicine.

Proceedings Title

The TechConnect Briefs

Conference Dates

June 17-19, 2019

Conference Location

Boston, MA

Conference Title

TechConnect World Innovation Conference 2019

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

"gold nanoparticles", "polyethyleneimine", "PEI", "gold PEI conjugates", "positively charged", "synthesis", "characterization", "stability"

Citation

Cho, T. , Pettibone, J. and Hackley, V. (2019), Discriminated properties of PEI functionalized gold nanoparticles (Au-PEIs) predetermined by synthetic routes of ligand exchange and reduction processes: Paths and Fates, The TechConnect Briefs, Boston, MA, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=927706 (Accessed October 8, 2025)