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Probing the electrostatic aggregation of nanoparticles with oppositely charged molecular ions
  • Jianxiang Huang,
  • Damiano Buratto,
  • Ruhong Zhou
Jianxiang Huang
Zhejiang University
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Damiano Buratto
Zhejiang University
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Ruhong Zhou
Zhejiang University

Corresponding Author:zhougroup1@zju.edu.cn

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Abstract

The co-assembly of charged nanoparticles with oppositely charged molecular ions has emerged as a promising technique in the fabrication of nanoparticle superstructures. However, the underlying mechanism behind these molecular ions in mediating the repulsion between these charged nanoparticles remains elusive. Herein, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations are used to elucidate the effects of valency, shape and size of molecular anions on their co-assembly with gold nanoparticles coated with positively charged ligands. The findings suggest that the valency, shape and size of molecular anions significantly influence the repulsion and aggregating dynamics among these positively charged nanoparticles. Moreover, the free energy calculations reveal that ring-shaped molecular anions with higher valencies and larger sizes are more effective at reducing the repulsion between these gold nanoparticles and thus enhance the stability of the aggregate. This study contributes to a better understanding of the critical roles of valence, shape and size of ions in mediating the electrostatic co-assembly of nanoparticles with oppositely charged ions and it also guides the future design of DNA templates and DNA origami in co-assembly with oppositely charged nanoparticles.
15 Nov 2022Submitted to Aggregate
19 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
19 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
20 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
14 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
12 Jan 20231st Revision Received
12 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
12 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
12 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
23 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Accept