How are Surface Ligands Attached to Nanoparticles?
The attachment of surface ligands to nanoparticles can occur through various methods, including covalent bonding, electrostatic interactions, and van der Waals forces. The choice of method depends on the type of nanoparticle and the desired properties of the final product. For instance, gold nanoparticles often use thiol groups (-SH) for strong covalent attachment, whereas silica nanoparticles might use silane coupling agents.