Helical nanofibers of self-assembled bipolar phospholipids as template for gold nanoparticles

J Phys Chem B. 2008 Apr 17;112(15):4506-11. doi: 10.1021/jp710119j. Epub 2008 Mar 21.

Abstract

Bipolar phospholipids (bolalipids) represent an exciting class of amphiphilic molecules as they self-assemble in water to distinct structures of nanoscopic dimensions. Reported here are structural details of helical nanofibers, composed of achiral, symmetrical single-chain bolalipids with phosphocholine headgroups. These nanofibers are used as template for the fixation of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) without prior functionalization. This realization of a metal array on bolalipid nanofibers is one of the rare examples of one-dimensional AuNP arrangements in solution. The loading and the heat of binding of AuNPs are determined applying transmission electron microscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry.

MeSH terms

  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Molecular Structure
  • Nanostructures / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Phospholipids / chemistry*
  • Phosphorylcholine / chemistry

Substances

  • Phospholipids
  • Phosphorylcholine
  • Gold