Gold nanocomposite assemblies using functionalized Ru(ii)-polypyridyl complexes

Abstract

Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes with various surface anchoring functional groups were prepared at room temperature and utilized as capping and engineering agents to attain surface functionalized gold nanocomposites (Au NCs) with unique morphologies without structure directing templates or functionalized thin films. To corroborate the morphological features obtained by the place-exchange methodology, functionalized Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes with different surface binding groups such as thiol, ketone, hydrazone and carboxylic acid groups were studied. Au nanocubes, chain and random assemblies were attained upto the microscale level using these Ru(II)-polypyridyl complexes with functional groups acting as Au NP surface binding molecular clips. The morphological and optical changes on the Au NP surface before and after functionalization were studied using electron microscopies (HRTEM with EDS, STEM, SEM), UV-vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy.