Metal nanomaterials have interesting optical properties called plasmonic,
To create these amazing nanoparticles, the team carefully tuned the sequences of peptoids, a programmable synthetic protein-like polymer.
“Peptoids offer a unique advantage inachieving control at the molecular level,” the researchers say. They hold the fine gold particles together to form five-fold doubled Au particles in a star shape with five regular points, while stabilizing the facets of the crystalline structure.
Gold nanoparticles in the shape of a star
Scientists from the Pacific NorthwestThe Department of Energy's National Laboratory (PNNL) and the University of Washington (UW) used advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to “see” star formation in solution at the nanoscale. This method provided deep mechanistic insight into how peptoids control the process and revealed the role of particle attachment and facet stabilization in shape control.
Having assembled your nanoscale constellation,The researchers then used molecular dynamics simulations to capture a level of detail that could not be obtained from experiments, and to explain why specific peptoids controlled the formation of perfect stars.
"You need to have a molecular understandinglevel to form this beautiful star-shaped particle with interesting plasmonic properties,” Chen said. Simulations can build theoretical understanding of why certain peptoids create certain shapes.
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