Light-Activated Covalent Formation of Gold Nanoparticle–Graphene and Gold Nanoparticle–Glass Composites

Monolayer protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) modified with a 3-aryl-3-(trifluoromethyl)diazirine functionality at its terminus (Diaz-AuNPs, 3.9 nm) were prepared and irradiated in the presence of two very different substrates, reduced graphene and glass. Upon irradiation, the terminal diazirine group loses nitrogen to generate a reactive carbene at the interface of the AuNPs that can then undergo addition or insertion reactions with functional groups on the graphene or glass surfaces, leading to the formation of graphene–AuNP and glass–AuNP hybrids, respectively. The AuNP hybrids were characterized using TEM, XRD, XPS, AFM, and UV–vis spectroscopy. Control experiments done in the absence of irradiation demonstrate that carbene activation is required for incorporation of significant AuNP onto the materials. The AuNP hybrids are robust and stable to excessive washing and centrifugation supporting the covalent nature of the interaction between the AuNP and the graphene or silicate glass substrates. Because the formation of the composite is light activated, it lends itself to photopatterning; this application is demonstrated for making the glass–AuNP composites.