Asymmetric gold nanoparticles synthesized in the presence of maltose-modified poly(ethyleneimine)

A self-assembled tube-like network, spontaneously formed by adding maltose-modified poly(ethyleneimine) (mal-PEI5000) to mixed phospholipid vesicles, can be used as a template for the formation of gold nanoparticles. High resolution TEM indicates that the growing process leads not only to the formation of spherical gold nanoparticles with an absorption maximum at 520 nm, but also very flat triangles, hexagons, and long bent rods are formed, revealing an absorption maximum in the NIR at about 850 nm.One can conclude that nanorods, nanotriangles and nanohexagons are predominantly formed in the tubular network structure.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Asymmetric gold nanoparticles synthesized in a tubular template phase. ► Maltose-modified PEI used for the transformation of the template phase. ► Maltose-modified PEI as reducing and stabilizing agent for the gold nanoparticles. ► Nanostructured gold triangles, hexagons and long bent rods. ► Thin gold triangles consisting of {1 0 0} and {1 1 1} facets.