The structure of citrate adlayers on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) was investigated. Infrared (IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses indicate citrate anions are adsorbed on AuNPs through central carboxylate groups. A unique structure of adsorbed citrate is determined, and a pH-induced structural transition is presented. IR analysis probes dangling dihydrogen anions (H2Citrate(-)) and hydrogen bonding of carboxylic acid groups between adsorbed and dangling citrate anions. A contribution of steric repulsion between citrate layers to particle stability is characterized. Structure-based modeling, which is consistent with scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images in the literature, suggests organization details relating to the formation of self-assembled layers on (111), (110), and (100) surfaces of AuNPs. Adsorption characteristics of the citrate layer include the interaction between hydrogen-bonded citrate chains, bilayer formation, surface coverage, and chirality. The enthalpic gain from intermolecular interactions and the importance of molecular structure/symmetry on the adsorption are discussed. Combining the enthalpic factor with surface diffusion and adsorption geometry of (1,2)-dicarboxyl fragments on Au(111), H2Citrate(-) anions effectively stabilize the (111) surface of the AuNPs. The detailed understanding of intermolecular interactions in the molecular adlayer provides insight for nanoparticle formation and stabilization. We expect these findings will be relevant for other nanoparticles stabilized by hydroxy carboxylate-based amino acids and have broad implications in NP-based interfacial studies and applications.

Thiols are widely utilized to functionalize metal nanoparticles, including ubiquitous citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), for fundamental studies and biomedical applications. For more than two decades, citrate-to-thiol ligand exchange has been used to introduce functionality to AuNPs in the 5-100 nm size regime. Contrary to conventional assumptions about the completion of ligand exchange processes and formation of a uniform self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on the NP surface, coadsorption of thiols with preadsorbed citrates as a mixed layer on AuNPs is demonstrated. Hydrogen bonding between carboxyl moieties primarily is attributed to the strong adsorption of citrate, leading to the formation of a stabilized network that is challenging to displace. In these studies, adsorbed citrates, probed by Fourier transform infrared and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, remain on the surface following thiol addition to the AuNPs, whereas acetoacetate anions are desorbed. XPS quantitative analysis indicates that the surface density of alkyl and aryl thiolates for AuNPs with an average diameter of ∼40 nm is 50-65% of the value of a close-packed SAM on Au(111). We present a detailed citrate/thiolate coadsorption model that describes this final mixed surface composition. Intermolecular interactions between weakly coordinated oxyanions, such as polyprotic carboxylic acids, can lead to enhanced stability of the metal-ligand interactions, and this needs to be considered in the surface modification of metal nanoparticles by thiols or other anchor groups.

A simple, inexpensive, single-step synthesis of gold and silver nanoparticles using poly(allylamine) (PAAm) as a reducing and stabilizing agent is reported. The synthetic process was carried out in aqueous solution, making the method versatile and environmentally friendly. The synthesized polymer-stabilized nanoparticles are stable in water without particle aggregation at room temperature for at least a month. We demonstrate successful ligand exchange on the polymer-stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with a variety of omega-functionalized acid-, alcohol-, amine-, and biotin-terminated alkylthiols. The methodologies, including ligand exchange, also are applicable for the generation of finely dispersed silver nanoparticles. The synthesized gold and silver nanoparticles are characterized by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The different ligand-stabilized AuNPs are also analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

The reaction of Mn(II) and KCN in aqueous and non-aqueous media leads to the isolation of three-dimensional (3-D) Prussian blue analogues, K(2)Mn[Mn(CN)(6)] (1a-d, 1e, respectively). Use of RbCN forms Rb(2)Mn[Mn(CN)(6)] (2). 1 and 2 are isomorphic {monoclinic, P2(1)/n: 1 [a = 10.1786(1) A, b = 7.4124(1) A, c = 6.9758(1) A, beta = 90.206(1)(o)]; 2 [a = 10.4101(1) A, b = 7.4492(1) A, c = 7.2132(1) A, beta = 90.072(1)(o)]}, with a small monoclinic distortion from the face centered cubic (fcc) structure that is typical of Prussian blue structured materials that was previously reported for K(2)Mn[Mn(CN)(6)]. Most notably the average Mn-N-C angles are 148.8 degrees and 153.3 degrees for 1 and 2, respectively, which are significantly reduced from linearity. This is attributed to the ionic nature of high spin Mn(II) accommodating a reduced M-CN-M' angle and minimizing void space. Compounds 1a,b have a sharp, strong nu(OH) band at 3628 cm(-1), while 1e lacks a nu(OH) absorption. The nu(OH) absorption in 1a,b is attributed to surface water, as use of D(2)O shifts the nu(OH) absorption to 2677 cm(-1), and that 1a-e are isostructural. Also, fcc Prussian blue-structured Cs(2)Mn[Mn(CN)(6)] (3) has been structurally [Fm3m: a = 10.6061(1) A] and magnetically characterized. The magnetic ordering temperature, T(c), increases as K(+) (41 K) > Rb(+) (34.6 K) > Cs(+) (21 K) for A(2)Mn[Mn(CN)(6)] in accord with the increasing deviation for linearity of the Mn-N-C linkages [148.8 (K(+)) > 153.3 (Rb(+)) > 180 degrees (Cs(+))], decreasing Mn(II)...Mn(II) separations [5.09 (K(+)) < 5.19 (Rb(+)) < 5.30 A (Cs(+))], and decreasing size of the cation (increasing electrostatic interactions). Hence, the bent cyanide bridges play a crucial role in the superexchange mechanism by increasing the coupling via shorter Mn(II)...Mn(II) separations, and perhaps enhanced overlap. In addition, the temperature dependent magnetic behavior of K(4)[Mn(II)(CN)(6)].3H(2)O is reported.

MIICl2 (M = Mn, Fe, Co) as their acetonitrile solvates were isolated, and their structural, spectroscopic, and magnetic properties were studied. MCl2(NCMe)2 (M = Fe, Mn) form 1-D chains of octahedral MII ions with four bridging chlorides and two axial MeCN's. The presence of an axial distortion for MFe causes a significant magnetic anisotropy that increases significantly below 150 K; however, chiav [=(chi parallel + 2chi perpendicular)/3] almost coincides with the value obtained on a polycrystalline sample. MnCl2(NCMe)2 is a paramagnet with a weak antiferromagnetic coupling. Annealing FeCl2(NCMe)2 at 55 degrees C forms the monosolvate of FeCl2(NCMe) composition in which two chains collapse into a double chain with formation of Fe-Cl bonding such that half of the mu-Cl's becomes mu3-Cl's. This material orders magnetically below Tc = 4.3 K. For M = Co, paramagnetic tetrahedral [CoCl3(NCMe)]- anions are isolated.