Generation of Scalable, Metallic High-Aspect Ratio Nanocomposites in a Biological Liquid Medium

Summary

Here we present a protocol to synthesize novel, high-aspect ratio biocomposites under biological conditions and in liquid media. The biocomposites scale from nanometers to micrometers in diameter and length, respectively. Copper nanoparticles (CNPs) and copper sulfate combined with cystine are the key components for the synthesis.

Abstract

The goal of this protocol is to describe the synthesis of two novel biocomposites with high-aspect ratio structures. The biocomposites consist of copper and cystine, with either copper nanoparticles (CNPs) or copper sulfate contributing the metallic component. Synthesis is carried out in liquid under biological conditions (37 °C) and the self-assembled composites form after 24 hr. Once formed, these composites are highly stable in both liquid media and in a dried form. The composites scale from the nano- to micro- range in length, and from a few microns to 25 nm in diameter. Field emission scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) demonstrated that sulfur was present in the NP-derived linear structures, while it was absent from the starting CNP material, thus confirming cystine as the source of sulfur in the final nanocomposites. During synthesis of these linear nano- and micro-composites, a diverse range of lengths of structures is formed in the synthesis vessel. Sonication of the liquid mixture after synthesis was demonstrated to assist in controlling average size of the structures by diminishing the average length with increased time of sonication. Since the formed structures are highly stable, do not agglomerate, and are formed in liquid phase, centrifugation may also be used to assist in concentrating and segregating formed composites.

Introduction

Copper is a highly reactive metal that in the biological world is essential in some enzyme functions ^1,2, but in higher concentrations is potently toxic including in the nanoparticulate form ^3,4. Concern over copper toxicity has become more relevant as CNPs and other copper-based nanomaterials are utilized, due to the increased surface area/mass for nanostructures. Thus, even a small mass of copper, in nanoparticle form, could cause local toxicity due to its ability to penetrate the cell and be broken down into reactive forms. Some biological species can complex with and chelate metal ions, and even incorporate them into biological structures as ....

Protocol

1. Planning of Experiments

1. Determine the volume of copper nanocomposites needed for synthesis. On that basis, choose a number of small volume flasks (25 cm²), or larger flasks as indicated below in preparation of materials.
2. For this synthesis, use a 37 °C incubator with 5% CO₂ and at least 40% humidity. Ensure that such an incubator is available and that it will not be repeatedly disturbed over the period of synthesis (approximately 24 hr).
   CAUTION: Repeated opening and closing of the incubator will certainly cause temperature fluctuations which may result in altered synthesis of the nanocomposite structures.

Results

Figure 1 shows a flow-chart schematic of the synthesis steps to form the linear biocomposites described in this work. CNPs or copper sulfate as starting materials are combined with sterile water to form a 2 mg/ml solution, this solution is mixed and sonicated to provide an even mixture, and this copper solution is then mixed in the following ratio for synthesis: 949 parts sterile water: 50 parts copper mixture: 1 part cystine stock solution. The actual volumes may be increased or decreased according to t.......

Discussion

While evaluating potential toxic effects of nanomaterials including CNPs, it was observed that over the long-term, CNPs were transformed from an initially more dispersed particulate distribution to a larger, aggregated form (Figure 2). In some cases, these highly aggregated formations which were produced in the cell culture dish, under biological conditions, formed highly linear projections from the central aggregate, reminiscent of previously described copper- containing “urchins” ⁶

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Mini Vortexer	VWR (https://us.vwr.com)	58816-121
CO2 Incubator Model # 2425-2	VWR (https://us.vwr.com)	Contact vendor	Current model calalog # 98000-360
Eppendorf Centrifuge (Refrigerated Microcentrifuge)	Labnet (http://labnetinternational.com/)	C2500-R	Model Prism R
Cell Culture Centrifuge Model Z323K	Labnet (http://labnetinternational.com/)	Contact vendor	Current model Z206A catalog # C0206-A
Sonicator (Ultrasonic Cleaner)	Branson Ultrasonics Corporation (http://www.bransonic.com/)	1510R-MTH
Balance	Sartorius (http://dataweigh.com)		Model CP225D similar model CPA225D
Olympus IX51 Inverted Light Microscope	Olympus (http://olympusamerica.com	Contact vendor
Olympus DP71 microscope digital camera	Olympus (http://olympusamerica.com	Contact vendor
external power supply unit - white light for Olympus microscope	Olympus (http://olympusamerica.com	TH4-100
10X, 20X, and 40X microscope objectives	Olympus (http://olympusamerica.com	Contact vendor
Scanning Electron Microscope	Hitachi (http://hitachi-hitec.com/global/em/sem/sem_index.html)	model S-4800
Transmission Electron Microscope	Zeiss (http://zeiss.com/microscopy/en_de/products.html)	model Libra 120
Table Top Work Station Unidirectional Flow Clean Bench	Envirco (http://envirco-hvac.com)	model PNG62675	Used for sterile cell culture technique