Nanometer-sized gold-loaded gelatin/silica nanocapsules

Abstract

The electrostatic-force-driven self-assembling behavior of acid-processed gelatin polypeptides was investigated through the predominantly seeded aggregation growth of denatured gelatin chains. The bifunctional gelatin-silica nanocapsules filled with gold nanoparticles was functionalized with biomolecules using well-established silica surface chemistry. Gelatin molecules were completely unfolded by injecting an aqueous gelatin solution into a boiling solution containing the gold colloids and continuously heating for 30 min. All the ternary components in the nanometer-sized gold-loaded gelatin/silica nanocapsules, including silica, gelatin and gold nanoparticles were biocompatible.