Peptide-Coated Silver Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Surface Chemistry, and pH-Triggered, Reversible Assembly into Particle Assemblies

Graphical Abstract

The degree of aggregation of silver nanoparticles can be controlled via a pH sensitive peptide coating (see figure). As the peptide not only controls the colloidal properties, but also influences the crystal structure of the individual nanoparticles, peptide/silver particle hybrid materials can be viewed as flexible and simple building blocks for the construction of new meta-materials with tunable properties.

Abstract

The degree of aggregation of silver nanoparticles can be controlled via a pH sensitive peptide coating (see figure). As the peptide not only controls the colloidal properties, but also influences the crystal structure of the individual nanoparticles, peptide/silver particle hybrid materials can be viewed as flexible and simple building blocks for the construction of new meta-materials with tunable properties.

Simple tripeptides are scaffolds for the synthesis and further assembly of peptide/silver nanoparticle composites. Herein, we further explore peptide-controlled silver nanoparticle assembly processes. Silver nanoparticles with a pH-responsive peptide coating have been synthesized by using a one-step precipitation/coating route. The nature of the peptide/silver interaction and the effect of the peptide on the formation of the silver particles have been studied via UV/Vis, X-ray photoelectron, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopies as well as through electron microscopy, small angle X-ray scattering and powder X-ray diffraction with Rietveld refinement. The particles reversibly form aggregates of different sizes in aqueous solution. The state of aggregation can be controlled by the solution pH value. At low pH values, individual particles are present. At neutral pH values, small clusters form and at high pH values, large precipitates are observed.