From self assembled monolayers to clickable gold nanoparticles

The aim of the present PhD thesis was the investigation of the behavior of gold nanoparticle stabilizing oligo thioether ligands on gold surfaces and further on to develop a protocol for the directed assembly of mono functionalized gold nanoparticle into defined oligomer structures.
Outline
The present cumulative PhD thesis consists of the following parts:
In the Introduction the research field of gold nanoparticles is presented with to point out their unique electronic and physical properties. The second focus will be on the controlled interlinking and functionalization of gold nanoparticles using click chemistry and their potential applications, which will be submitted as a review article.
Within Concept and Strategy the goals of the research project are introduced and the concepts and outputs of the resulting publications are presented.
The Publications are accumulated with their respective Supporting Information, in the order in which they were prepared:
“Loops versus Stems: Benzylic Sulfide Oligomers Forming Carpet Type Monolayers“ F. Sander, T. Peterle, N. Ballav, F. Wrochem, M. Zharnikov, M. Mayor J. Phys. Chem. C, 2010, 114, 4118 – 4125.
“Add a Third Hook: S-Acetyl Protected Oligophenylene Pyridine Dithiols as Advanced Precursors for Self-Assembled Monolayers“ F. Sander, J. P. Hermes, M. Mayor, H. Hamoudi, M. Zharnikov PCCP, 2013, 15, 2836 – 2846.
“Dumbbells, Trikes and Quads - Click Gold Nanopartricles together“ F. Sander, U. Fluch, J. P. Hermes and M. Mayor Small 2014, 10, 349 – 359.
“Click Chemistry with Gold Nanoparticles – A Tool for Functionalization, Interlinking and Labeling” Fabian Sander and Marcel Mayor, manuscript prepared for submission.
Finally, within Conclusion and Outlook the main results are briefly summarized and further potential research is proposed.