How and why nanoparticle's curvature regulates the apparent pKa of the coating ligands

J Am Chem Soc. 2011 Feb 23;133(7):2192-7. doi: 10.1021/ja108154a. Epub 2011 Jan 31.

Abstract

Dissociation of ionizable ligands immobilized on nanopaticles (NPs) depends on and can be regulated by the curvature of these particles as well as the size and the concentration of counterions. The apparent acid dissociation constant (pK(a)) of the NP-immobilized ligands lies between that of free ligands and ligands self-assembled on a flat surface. This phenomenon is explicitly rationalized by a theoretical model that accounts fully for the molecular details (size, shape, conformation, and charge distribution) of both the NPs and the counterions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Ions
  • Ligands
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Models, Molecular
  • Particle Size
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Ions
  • Ligands
  • Gold