Functionalization of hybrid nanoparticles

Organic-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials are booming. They are combinations of two or more components that generate new materials with numerous and varied properties. The most stable noble metal nanoparticles are gold nanoparticles. They are being explored in the biomedical, pharmaceutical, electronic, computer and cosmetic fields. Gold was chosen for its low toxicity, excellent chemical stability and biocompatibility. The synthesis of these nanoparticles is simple. All approaches to prepare stable gold colloids involve the reduction of a gold salt in the presence of a reducing agent and a stabilizer. The long-term stability of the colloidal dispersion is of great importance in many industries. The functionalization of these bare gold nanoparticles by thiol-functional organic molecules can prevent their aggregation and thus increase their stability. These thiols improve stability, solubility and colloidal dispersion, and act as a spacer allowing a second functionalization by another molecule.