Trimethoxysilyl-propyldiethylenetriamine

These Ru(H)bpy32+ fluorescent silica nanoparticles were used to detect single bacterial cells using antibodies conjugated to the surface after functionalization with trimethoxysilyl-propyldiethylenetriamine followed by succinylation to create carboxylates. Specific antibody molecules against E. coli 0157 then were coupled to this modified fluorescent particle using the carbodiimide method with EDC and NHS (Zhao et al., 2004). 

The following protocol for modification of silica nanoparticles is based on the method of Zhao et al. (2004), which describes the addition of amine functionalities using trimethoxysilyl-propyldiethylenetriamine. Other functional silane modifications may be done similarly. 

Add 32 mg of silica nanoparticles (fluorescent or plain) to 20 ml of 1 mM acetic acid containing 1 percent trimethoxysilyl-propyldiethylenetriamine with stirring. Other concentrations of silane derivatives used for particle modification typically range from 1 to 5... 

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