Large clusters and hollow microfibers by multicomponent self-assembly of citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles with temperature-responsive amphiphilic dendrimers

Abstract

Gold clusters with controlled sizes have been prepared by controlled self-assembly of citrate stabilized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) with temperature-responsive luminescent amphiphilic dendrimers (Den 40) of oligo(p-phenylene vinylene) core branches and oligo(ethylene oxide) terminal chains. The shape and size of the resultant gold clusters depend strongly on the molar ratio of Den 40 to AuNPs. These gold clusters can further assemble into hollow microfibers decorated with AuNPs, which can be used as a promising substrate for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). The formation of spherical gold clusters and hollow microfibers simply by self-assembly of AuNPs and luminescent amphiphilic dendrimers (Den 40) could not only provide some useful insights for producing multifunctional materials via multicomponent self-assembly but also offer promise for potential applications of the self-assemblies in many systems, such as SERS and stimuli-responsive sensors.