L-Thioproline (THP) has demonstrated significant potential in surface chemistry, particularly in the fabrication of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold substrates and gold nanoparticles (GNPs). SAMs of THP were successfully formed on gold wafers by immersing pre-cleaned gold surfaces in a 1 mM ethanolic solution of THP for 24 hours under anoxic conditions. The cleaning process involved sequential treatment with Piranha solution, ultrasonic baths in organic solvents, and nitrogen drying to ensure optimal monolayer formation. The resulting THP-functionalized gold wafers exhibited enhanced surface properties, making them suitable for applications in biosensing and nanotechnology.
THP was also used to modify GNPs by incubating a 5 mM aqueous THP solution with colloidal gold. The reaction led to a visible color change from red to dark purple, confirming the successful formation of THP-SAMs on GNPs. This modification of GNPs with THP provides a versatile platform for biofunctionalization, facilitating applications in targeted drug delivery, catalysis, and molecular recognition.
The ability of L-Thioproline to form stable SAMs on both planar and nanoparticulate gold surfaces highlights its significance in surface engineering. This approach opens avenues for the development of functionalized gold-based materials, with implications in biomedicine, diagnostics, and nanotechnology.