Polyethylene glycol functionalized gold nanoparticles: the influence of capping density on stability in various media

Thiol-terminated polyethylene glycol (PEG) is commonly used to functionalize the surface of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) in order to improve their in vivo stability and to avoid uptake by the reticular endothelial system. Although it has been reported that AuNPs functionalized with tethered PEG are stable in biological media, the influence of chain density remains unclear. This study investigates the influence of PEG capping density on the...