Chitosan-mediated and spatially selective electrodeposition of nanoscale particles

Langmuir. 2005 Apr 12;21(8):3641-6. doi: 10.1021/la047420c.

Abstract

Nanoscale particles offer a variety of interesting properties, and there is growing interest in their assembly into higher ordered structures. We report that the pH-responsive aminopolysaccharide chitosan can mediate the electrodeposition of model nanoparticles. Chitosan is known to electrodeposit at the cathode surface in response to a high localized pH. To demonstrate that chitosan can mediate nanoparticle deposition, we suspended fluorescently labeled latex nanoparticles (100 nm diameter spheres) in a chitosan solution (1%) and performed electrodeposition (0.05 mA/cm2 for several minutes). Results demonstrate that chitosan is required for nanoparticle electrodeposition; chitosan confers spatial selectivity to electrodeposition; and nanoparticles distribute throughout the electrodeposited chitosan film. Additionally, we observed that the deposited films reversibly swell upon rehydration. This work indicates that chitosan provides a simple means to assemble nanoparticles at addressable locations and provides further evidence that stimuli-responsive biological materials may facilitate fabrication at the microscale.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry*
  • Biosensing Techniques*
  • Chitosan / chemistry*
  • Electroplating*
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Latex / chemistry
  • Nanostructures
  • Nanotechnology / methods*
  • Particle Size
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Latex
  • Chitosan