Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
1645395 | Materials Letters | 2013 | 4 Pages |
Template assisted synthesis of metallized nanocontainers (MNCs) is reported by in situ synthesis of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) in the bilayer of soft lecithin micelles using aminoantipyrene as a weak reducing agent. The exact bilayer mimicry of MNCs was confirmed by electron microscopic (SEM and TEM) characterization. These MNCs were further coated with thiolated polyethylene glycol (PEG-SH) to improve their stability in aqueous media. The solubility of MNCs in polar and non-polar solvents can be tuned simply by varying their pH values. These MNCs were then used for the entrapment and controlled release of a model hydrophobic compound, pyrene, to demonstrate their potential applications for the controlled release of hydrophobic drugs.
Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Template assisted gold nanocontainers were synthesized in solution. ► UV–vis absorbance scan showed the surface plasmon resonance band at 671 nm. ► Metallized gold containers were completely water dispersible but found to have hydrophobic pockets to accommodate hydrophobic molecules.