Université de Fribourg

Polyvinyl alcohol as a biocompatible alternative for the passivation of gold nanorods

Kinnear, Calum ; Burnand, David ; Clift, Martin J. D. ; Kilbinger, Andreas F. M. ; Rothen-Rutishauser, Barbara ; Petri-Fink, Alke

In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition, 2014, vol. 53, no. 46, p. 12613–12617

The functionalization of gold nanorods (GNRs) with polymers is essential for both their colloidal stability and biocompatibility. However, a bilayer of the toxic cationic surfactant cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) adsorbed on the nanorods complicates this process. Herein, we report on a strategy for the biocompatible functionalization of GNRs with a hydrophobic polymeric precursor,...

Université de Fribourg

One-pot synthesis and catalytic properties of encapsulated silver nanoparticles in silica nanocontainers

Priebe, Magdalena ; Fromm, Katharina M.

In: Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, 2014, vol. 31, no. 6, p. 645–651

The microemulsion approach constitutes a novel method for preparation of nanorattles, which are nanostructures with a preserved void between an encapsulated core and the surrounding shell of the nanocontainer. A facile one-pot synthesis and encapsulation is demonstrated for silver nanoparticles into silica nanocontainers to form Ag@SiO₂ nanorattles.

Université de Fribourg

Bioinorganic chemistry of silver: its interactions with amino acids and peptides

Fromm, Katharina M.

In: CHIMIA International Journal for Chemistry, 2013, vol. 67, no. 12, p. 851–854

Silver and its compounds have been used for centuries for e.g. water storage, burn wounds or as eye ointment. Almost forgotten after the discovery of antibiotics, silver chemistry has had a revival over the past years as a means to combat multi-resistant bacteria. Although the details of its mechanism of action are still unknown, silver seems to be efficient as it interacts with many biomolecular...