Vercruysse K.P., Williams A., Ivory D., Johnson B., Dixon R.D., Tran M.T., Moore J.T.
Tennessee State University, US
Keywords: chondroitin sulfate, glycosaminoglycan, metal nanoparticles
We provide evidence that chondroitin sulfate (CS), a member of the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) family of polysaccharides found in the extracellular matrix of all higher order species, can be used as a matrix to generate nanosized gold (Au), silver (Ag), palladium (Pd) and rhodium (Rh) particles. Aqueous solutions containing Au3+, Ag+, Pd2+ or Rh3+ cations were mixed with aqueous solutions containing CS. Nanosized Au or Ag particles were generated without the use of an additional reducing agent following incubation of the mixtures at room temperature for 48 hours. Nanosized Pd or Rh particles were generated at room temperature within 10 minutes following the addition of NaBH4. UV/VIS spectroscopic scans of the samples revealed novel absorption features that were not observed in aqueous samples of CSA or cation alone. In addition, TEM images of the samples confirmed that nanoscale particles had been generated. The images indicate the particles possessed irregular geometries, however some faceting was observed in the Au particles. Preliminary studies, using UV/VIS spectroscopic analyses, suggest that the chemistry described above could be applied using heparin, pectin or carboxymethylcellulose as the matrix, but to a much lesser extent when using hyaluronan as the matrix. In addition, using CS as the matrix and NaBH4 as the reducing agent, novel UV/VIS spectroscopic features emerge when applying the above described chemistry to aqueous solutions containing Cu(II), Ni(II), Pt(IV), Hg(II) or Mn(II) cations.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 2, Technical Proceedings of the 2007 NSTI Nanotechnology Conference and Trade Show, Volume 2
Published: May 20, 2007
Pages: 752 - 755
Industry sector: Medical & Biotech
Topic: Biomaterials
ISBN: 1-4200-6183-6