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Organic–Inorganic Azafullerene‐Gold C 59 N‐Au Nanohybrid: Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties
Author(s) -
Rotas Georgios,
Niemi Marja,
Tkachenko Nikolai V.,
Zhao Sihan,
Shinohara Hisanori,
Tagmatarchis Nikos
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201403517
Subject(s) - photoluminescence , nanoparticle , spectroscopy , absorption (acoustics) , chemistry , ultrafast laser spectroscopy , absorption spectroscopy , colloidal gold , photochemistry , nanotechnology , materials science , physics , quantum mechanics , composite material , optoelectronics
Azafullerene (C 59 N) was functionalized using a Mannich‐type reaction and then subsequently condensed with lipoic acid to yield dithiolane‐modified C 59 N. In the following step, the extended dithiolane moiety from the C 59 N core was utilized to decorate the azafullerene sphere with gold nanoparticles (Au NPs). The latter were initially stabilized with dodecanothiol (DT ⋅ Au) and then integrated on azafullerene through a ligand exchange reaction with the dithiolane‐functionalized C 59 N to produce the C 59 N/DT ⋅ Au nanohybrid. The nanohybrid was fully characterized by spectroscopy and microscopy, revealing the formation of spherical nanoparticles with a diameter in the range of 2–5 nm, as imaged by HR‐TEM. In the electronic absorption spectrum of C 59 N/DT ⋅ Au nanohybrid, the characteristic surface plasmon band (SPB) of Au NPs was observed, however, it was redshifted compared with that of DT ⋅ Au. The redshift of the SPB is indicative of closer interparticle proximity of Au NPs, in accordance with the formation of aggregated NPs as observed by TEM, in C 59 N/DT ⋅ Au nanohybrid. Excited‐state interactions in C 59 N/DT ⋅ Au were probed by photoluminescence assays. It was found that the weak emission of C 59 N at 819 nm was blueshifted by 14 nm in C 59 N/DT ⋅ Au, but was stronger in intensity, thus suggesting energy transfer to C 59 N, within the organic–inorganic C 59 N/DT ⋅ Au nanohybrid. Finally, with the aid of pump–probe measurements and transient absorption spectroscopy, the formation of the singlet excited state of C 59 N was identified.