Hybrid gold nanoparticle–quantum dot self-assembled nanostructures driven by complementary artificial proteins. Issue 7 (11th February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fernandez, Maxence; Urvoas, Agathe; Even-Hernandez, Pascale; Burel, Agnès; Mériadec, Cristelle; Artzner, Franck; Bouceba, Tahar; Minard, Philippe; Dujardin, Erik; Marchi, Valérie
• Is Part Of: Nanoscale. Volume 12:Issue 7(2020)
• Page Start: 4612
• Page End: 4621
• Publication Date: 2020-02-11
• Subjects: Nanoscience -- Periodicals; Nanotechnology -- Periodicals; 620.505
• DOI: 10.1039/c9nr09987e
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2040-3364

Abstract

Abstract : Hybrid nanostructures are constructed by the direct coupling of fluorescent quantum dots and plasmonic gold nanoparticles. Abstract : Hybrid nanostructures are constructed by the direct coupling of fluorescent quantum dots and plasmonic gold nanoparticles. Self-assembly is directed by the strong affinity between two artificial α-repeat proteins that are introduced in the capping layers of the nanoparticles at a controlled surface density. The proteins have been engineered to exhibit a high mutual affinity, corresponding to a dissociation constant in the nanomolar range, towards the protein-functionalized quantum dots and gold nanoparticles. Protein-mediated self-assembly is evidenced by surface plasmon resonance and gel electrophoresis. The size and the structure of colloidal superstructures of complementary nanoparticles are analyzed by transmission electron microscopy and small angle X-ray scattering. The size of the superstructures is determined by the number of proteins per nanoparticle. The well-defined geometry of the rigid protein complex sets a highly uniform interparticle distance of 8 nm that affects the emission properties of the quantum dots in the hybrid ensembles. Our results open the route to the design of hybrid emitter−plasmon colloidal assemblies with controlled near-field coupling and better optical response.