Biosafe, Renewable, and Optically Active Diacids Containing Amino Acid as Coupling Agents for the Modification of ZnO Nanoparticles

Abstract

Chemical functionalization of inorganic nanoparticles (NPs) can significantly change the morphology of them and increase their compatibility with organic and biological environments. In this study bioactive diacids (DAs) containing different amino acids as organic coupling agents were synthesized and then the hydrophilic surface of ZnO NPs was modified with these capping agents under ultrasonic conditions. The prepared DAs-modified ZnO NPs were characterized with various techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis proved the presence of DAs on the surface of ZnO NPs. The electronic microscopy images showed that metal oxide particles were in the nanoscale size and uniformly dispersed.