Structure elucidation of nanoparticle-bound organic molecules by 1H NMR

The chemical nature of a nanoparticle surface determines its bioactivity and toxicity in vivo. Rational surface-chemistry modifications play a key role in modulating the toxicity of nanoparticles and applying nanotechnology to life sciences and medicine. However, there is a bottleneck in characterizing the organic molecules attached to the nanoparticle surface after such modifications.This review summarizes recent developments in analysis of surface chemistry of nanomaterials using various proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H NMR) techniques. While these developments have had a substantial impact on nanoparticle-surface chemistry, more quantitative, flexible, and practical analytical techniques and strategies have still to be developed.