Metal Nanoparticles

Metal nanoparticles offer great opportunities for molecular electronics, catalysis, and medicinal applications. The properties of nanoparticles depend strongly on their size and shape, which is controlled by the addition of additives during their formation. However, the controlled synthesis of mono-disperse nanoparticles in defined sizes is challenging and little is known about the correlation between the molecular structure of the additive and the resulting nanoparticles.

We develop peptides as additives for the size-controlled generation of noble metal nanoparticles. In addition, we aim at understanding how the molecular features of the additive control nanoparticle formation. To tackle these goals we use a merger of combinatorial chemistry and rational design. Colorimetric combinatorial assays with split-and-mix libraries allowed for the identification of tripeptides that control the formation of mono-disperse, water-soluble Ag-, Pd-, Pt-, and AuNPs in defined sizes. Structure-activity relationship studies revealed a specific role of each amino acid for the formation and stabilization of the nanoparticles.

Recently we prepared peptide‐stabilized platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) that have significantly greater toxicity against hepatic cancer cells (HepG2) than against other cancer cells and non‐cancerous liver cells. (to read more click here).
Our current work focuses on expanding the developed methodology to achieve formation of other types of nanometer-sized metal composites, as well as exploring applications of the formed nanoparticles in catalysis and the biomedical field.

Selected Publications

M. S. Shoshan, T. Vonderach, B. Hattendorf, H. Wennemers "Peptide‐coated Platinum Nanoparticles with Selective Toxicity against Liver Cancer Cells”
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 1-6

Corrà, U. Lewandowska, E. M. Benetti, H. Wennemers, "Size-controlled formation of noble metal nanoparticles in aqueous solution with a thiol-free tripeptide"
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2016, 55, 8542–8545

G. Upert, F. Bouillère, H. Wennemers, "Correlating Molecular with Nanoscopic Dimensions - Oligoprolines as Scaffolds for the Formation of Ag-Nanoparticles in Defined Sizes"
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2012, 51, 4231–4234

K. Belser, T. V. Slenters, C. Pfumbidzai, G. Upert, L. Mirolo, K. M. Fromm, H. Wennemers, "Silver Nanoparticle Formation in Different Sizes Induced by Peptides Identified within Split-and-Mix Libraries"
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2009, 48, 3661–3664