Formation of protein and protein-gold nanoparticle stabilized microbubbles by pressurized gyration

Langmuir. 2015 Jan 20;31(2):659-66. doi: 10.1021/la502181g. Epub 2014 Jul 30.

Abstract

A one-pot single-step novel process has been developed to form microbubbles up to 250 μm in diameter using a pressurized rotating device. The microbubble diameter is shown to be a function of rotational speed and working pressure of the processing system, and a modified Rayleigh-Plesset equation has been derived to explain the bubble-forming mechanism. A parametric plot is constructed to identify a rotating speed and working pressure regime, which allows for continuous bubbling. Bare protein (lysozyme) microbubbles generated in this way exhibit a morphological change, resulting in microcapsules over a period of time. Microbubbles prepared with gold nanoparticles at the bubble surface showed greater stability over a time period and retained the same morphology. The functionalization of microbubbles with gold nanoparticles also rendered optical tunability and has promising applications in imaging, biosensing, and diagnostics.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Microbubbles*

Substances

  • Gold