Abstract

This dissertation presents a systematic study on gold nanoparticles: from their chemical synthesis, modification of surface functionalities, optical properties studies with emphasis on the absorption and scattering properties, to applications of gold nanoparticles in biomolecular detection, imaging and photothermal therapy. In chapter 2, we studied the kinetics of gold nanoparticle growth under Brust-Shiffrin reaction conditions. In chapter 3, we further examined the reaction mechanism and growth kinetics of gold nanoparticles using oleylamine as both a reducing reagent and particle growth passivation ligand. From these two projects, important understanding was revealed on gold nanoparticle formation and growth mechanism. Chapter 4 describes the synthesis of a monofunctional gold nanoparticle through a solid phase place exchange reaction. From Chapter 5, we moved to the optical property study of gold nanoparticles, particularly the absorption and scattering phenomenon. In this work a systematic analysis on the extinction coefficient of gold nanoparticles was performed, providing meaningful references for applications based on optical absorption properties of gold nanoparticles. In Chapter 6 and Chapter 7, we developed a one-step homogeneous immunoassay for protein detection and analysis based on the strong light scattering of gold nanoparticles and dynamic light scattering detection technique. In Chapter 8, we further improved the stability of gold nanoparticle bioconjugates using a poly(ethylene glycol)-coated gold nanoparticles and further tested this nanoparticle in the one-step homogeneous immunoassay. Finally in Chapter 9, we demonstrated the application of gold nanoparticles for in vitro bioimaging and photothermal therapy of a lung cancer cell. In summary, this dissertation presents a comprehensive study on the synthesis, surface modification, property study of gold nanoparticles and their applications in biomolecular imaging and analysis.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2009

Semester

Fall

Advisor

Huo, Qun

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Chemistry

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0002874

URL

http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/etd/CFE0002874

Language

English

Release Date

November 2014

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Open Access)

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Included in

Chemistry Commons

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