Morphological and Rheological Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Pluronic P103 as Soft Template

Abstract

The synthesis of gold nanoparticles (Au-NPs), using Pluronic Ⓡ P103 as soft template to design tuned hybrid gold/P103 nanomaterials, is reported here. The effect of the concentration of P103 and the synthesis temperature on the growth, size, and morphology of Au-NPs were studied. The rheological properties of these hybrid nanomaterials at different measured temperatures were studied as well. By increasing the concentration of P103, the micelles progressively grew due to an increase in the number of surface cavities. These cavities came together causing large nucleation centers and developing larger Au-NPs. The synthesis temperature was varied to induce significant dehydration of the P103 micelles. Below the cloud point temperature micelles underwent distinct changes related to spherical-to-polymer-like micelles transitions. Two nanostructures were formed: (1) small Au-NPs arranged on the surface of micelles, which acted as soft templates, and (2) large and independent Au-NPs. Above the cloud point temperature, Au-NPs were related to the shape and size of the P103 micellar aggregates. Rheological measurements showed that viscosity was sensitive to the concentration of P103. Also, it was demonstrated that synthesis temperature had a considerable influence on viscosity of the produced nanomaterials.

Aloe vera gel influence on the micellization behavior of copolymer Pluronic F127: A potential photosensitizer carrier for topical application

“…The average size of the micelles was in agreement with the polydispersity index (PDI) values, as well as with the data found in the literature. The coexistence of micelles and large aggregates has also been reported for other types of Pluronics in solution …”

“…At 35 °C, the monomodal distribution observed is caused by rearrangement of the F127 molecules, leading to the formation of a unique species with an average size close to 25 nm . The solubilization of aloe vera gel in F127 caused a slight change in the size of micelles and aggregates.…”

Nanoengineering of Gold Nanoparticles: Green Synthesis, Characterization, and Applications

“…UV-Vis spectra analyzed how PCL crystallization directly affect the AuNPs growth, where absorption bands at 520, 620, 680, and 710 nm were identified for AuNPs, clusters, cylinders, and sheet morphologies in the growth of gold systems [86]. On the other hand, Tepale et al [36], analyzed the structural behavior of P103-AuNPs at different block copolymer concentrations (10, 15 and 20 wt.%), and different synthesis temperatures (30, 35 and 50 • C). Figure 5 describes how AuNPs size is affected by the wt.% of Pluronic P103.…”

“…However, polymers are broadly used in the green synthesis of AuNPs. Polymers employed as AuNPs stabilizers consider homopolymers such as poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) PVP and poly(acrylic acid) PAA, block copolymers such as poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) PEO-PPO-PEO, and polyethylene glycol-g-polyvinyl alcohol PEG-g-PVA, among others [3,[33][34][35][36][37]. Stabilization of metal surfaces using polymers, offers the possibility of tuning the optical properties, functionality, and surface reactivity of metal nanoparticles [31].…”

“…In the same line, Khullar et al [48] also synthesized tiny AuNPs in hydrophobic Pluronic L121 micelles. Furthermore, Tepale et al [36] prepared hybrid gold nanomaterials using Pluronic P103 micelles as soft template. The results concluded that micellar assemblies control the final morphology of hybrid materials.…”