Protein-conjugated nanoparticles from rapid expansion of supercritical fluid solution into aqueous solution.

The method of rapid expansion of a supercritical solution into a liquid solvent (RESOLV) was applied to the preparation of bovine serum albumin protein-conjugated silver sulfide nanoparticles. The conjugate samples were characterized by using a series of instrumental techniques. The results show that the monodispersed nanoparticles in the conjugates are well-coated directly with the protein. Because the protein undergoes solution pH-dependent association and dissociation, the protein-nanoparticle conjugates also assemble and disassemble with changes in solution pH in a reversible fashion.