Asymmetric Colloidal Janus Particle Formation Is Core-Size-Dependent.

Colloidal particles with asymmetric surface chemistry (Janus particles) have unique bifunctional properties. The size of these particles is an important determinant for their applications in diverse fields from drug delivery to chemical catalysis. The size of Janus particles, with a core surface coated with carboxylate and a partially encapsulating silica shell, depends upon several factors, including the core size and the concentration of carboxylate coating. The role of the carboxylate coating on the Janus particle size is well-understood; however, the role of the core size is not well defined. The role of the carboxylated polystyrene (cPS) core size on the cPS-silica Janus particle morphology (its size and shape) was examined by testing two different silica sizes and five different cPS core sizes. Results from electron microscopy (EM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicate that the composite cPS-silica particle acquires two distinct shapes: (i) when the size of the cPS core is much smaller than the non-cPS silica (b-SiO2) sphere, partially encapsulated Janus particles are formed, and (ii) when the cPS core is larger than or equal to the b-SiO2 sphere, a raspberry-like structure rather than a Janus particle is formed. The cPS-silica Janus particles of ∼100-500 nm size were obtained when the size of the cPS core was much smaller than the non-cPS silica (b-SiO2) sphere. These scalable nanoscale Janus particles will have wide application in a multifunctional delivery platform and catalysis.

Magnetically-responsive silica-gold nanobowls for targeted delivery and SERS-based sensing.

Composite colloidal structures with multi-functional properties have wide applications in targeted delivery of therapeutics and imaging contrast molecules and high-throughput molecular bio-sensing. We have constructed a multifunctional composite magnetic nanobowl using the bottom-up approach on an asymmetric silica/polystyrene Janus template consisting of a silica shell around a partially exposed polystyrene core. The nanobowl consists of a silica bowl and a gold exterior shell with iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles sandwiched between the silica and gold shells. The nanobowls were characterized by electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, magnetometry, vis-NIR and FTIR spectroscopy. Magnetically vectored transport of these nanobowls was ascertained by time-lapsed imaging of their flow in fluid through a porous hydrogel under a defined magnetic field. These magnetically-responsive nanobowls show distinct surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) imaging capability. The PEGylated magnetically-responsive nanobowls show size-dependent cellular uptake in vitro.

Dual-Functionalized Theranostic Nanocarriers.

Nanocarriers with the ability to spatially organize chemically distinct multiple bioactive moieties will have wide combinatory therapeutic and diagnostic (theranostic) applications. We have designed dual-functionalized, 100 nm to 1 µm sized scalable nanocarriers comprising a silica golf ball with amine or quaternary ammonium functional groups located in its pits and hydroxyl groups located on its nonpit surface. These functionalized golf balls selectively captured 10-40 nm charged gold nanoparticles (GNPs) into their pits. The selective capture of GNPs in the golf ball pits is visualized by scanning electron microscopy. ζ potential measurements and analytical modeling indicate that the GNP capture involves its proximity to and the electric charge on the surface of the golf balls. Potential applications of these dual-functionalized carriers include distinct attachment of multiple agents for multifunctional theranostic applications, selective scavenging, and clearance of harmful substances.