Article Title

Reversible self-assembly of gold nanorods mediated by photoswitchable molecular adsorption

Authors

Qian Wang, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), College of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Di Li, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), College of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Junyan Xiao, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), College of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Fucheng Guo, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), College of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
Limin Qi, Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences (BNLMS), College of Chemistry, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China

Keywords

self-assembly of nanoparticles, gold nanorods, reversible self-assembly, photoswichable adsorption, reconfigurable nanomaterials

Abstract

Stimuli-responsive self-assembly of nanoparticles represents a powerful strategy to achieve reconfigurable materials with novel functionalities and promising applications. In this regard, light-induced reversible self-assembly (LIRSA) of nanoparticles is most attractive but it is usually limited by the prerequisite yet cumbersome chemical functionalizations of the particle surface. Here we describe an innovative method to realize LIRSA of gold nanorods (GNRs) without surface functionalization through photoswitchable adsorption of an anionic azobenzene derivate AzoNa. The LIRSA of GNRs is caused by the reversible change between a nearly neutral state and a highly charged state of the GNRs arising from the photoswichable adsorption of AzoNa triggered by photoisomerization. The LIRSA behavior can be readily adjusted by changing the concentration of AzoNa and the aspect ratio of the GNRs. This new LIRSA strategy may provide a convenient and efficient route toward light-triggered reversibly reconfigurable nanomaterials.

Graphical Abstract

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12274-019-2393-9

Publisher

Tsinghua University Press

Recommended Citation

Qian Wang,Di Li,Junyan Xiao,Fucheng Guo,Limin Qi, Reversible self-assembly of gold nanorods mediated by photoswitchable molecular adsorption. NanoRes.2019, 12(7): 1563–1569