Molecular Surface Quantification of Multifunctionalized Gold Nanoparticles Using UV-Visible Absorption Spectroscopy Deconvolution

Anal Chem. 2023 Sep 5;95(35):12998-13002. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c01649. Epub 2023 Aug 25.

Abstract

Multifunctional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are of great interest, owing to their vast potential for use in many areas including sensing, imaging, delivery, and medicine. A key factor in determining the biological activity of multifunctional AuNPs is the quantification of surface conjugated molecules. There has been a lack of accurate methods to determine this for multifunctionalized AuNPs. We address this limitation by using a new method based on the deconvolution and Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm fitting of UV-visible absorption spectrum to calculate the precise concentration and number of cytochrome C (Cyt C) and zinc porphyrin (Zn Porph) bound to each multifunctional AuNP. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and zeta potential measurements were used to confirm the functionalization of AuNPs with Cyt C and Zn Porph. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used in conjunction with UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and DLS to identify the AuNP size and confirm that no aggregation had taken place after functionalization. Despite the overlapping absorption bands of Cyt C and Zn Porph, this method was able to reveal a precise concentration and number of Cyt C and Zn Porph molecules attached per AuNP. Furthermore, using this method, we were able to identify unconjugated molecules, suggesting the need for further purification of the sample. This guide provides a simple and effective method to quickly quantify molecules bound to AuNPs, giving users valuable information, especially for applications in drug delivery and biosensors.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cytochromes c
  • Dynamic Light Scattering
  • Gold
  • Metal Nanoparticles*
  • Multifunctional Nanoparticles*
  • Spectrum Analysis

Substances

  • Gold
  • zinc hematoporphyrin
  • Cytochromes c