Characterising nanoparticle surface adsorption and intercalation for morphology control and cellular delivery
This project seeks to explore the nature of surface interactions between nanoparticles and inorganic or biological adsorbates in a water environment. Such surface interactions have many implications for the functional application of nanoparticles. In the case of short-strand DNA or RNA adsorption, this interaction controls the relative stability of surface adsorbed and/or intercalated oligonucleotides and is critical to understanding how LDH (layered double hydroxide) nanoparticles facilitate cellular delivery.
In the case of inorganic surface adsorbates, evidence suggests that such adsorbates can control the relative stability of different crystal faces, hence impacting on the morphology and reactivity of the synthesised nanoparticles.
Major achievements
Nature paper: This paper demonstrates a breakthrough - stimulated by theoretical calculations - in the synthetic strategy of using surface adsorbing agents facilitate the growth of uniform, highly reactive single crystals of anatase titania with morphology differing from the lowest energy structure.
Future plans and directions
This new synthetic strategy is being developed further through optimisation of conditions and use of more than one surface agent acting synergistically (already a subsequent JACS paper accepted for 2009).
