Length-Controlled Synthesis of Calcium Phosphate Nanorod and Nanowire and Application in Intracellular Protein Delivery

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Abstract
Although calcium phosphate based nanomaterials are widely used in various biomedical application, the synthesis of high quality of such nanomaterials with controlled size and shape is challenging. Here we report a single phase approach for length controlled synthesis of calcium phosphate nanorods and nanowires of 2-5 nm diameter and 10-1000 nm length. Synthetic method involves injection of tetrabutylammonium phosphate into oleic acid solution of calcium oleate at 200-330 °C and controlling the nucleation-growth kinetics of calcium phosphate by temperature, molar ratio of calcium to phosphate, reaction time and solvent. Nanorods are formed at calcium to phosphate molar ratio of 2:1 and with increasing temperature more anisotropic nanowires are formed. As the reaction progress at a certain growth condition, the length of nanorod/nanowire increases with time, attains a maximum and then length distribution becomes broad. Thus best quality nanomaterials are obtained by selecting the reaction temperature and then quenching the reaction at right time. These hydrophobic nanorods/nanowires are highly soluble, can be processed like conventional high quality hydrophobic nanoparticle and can be transformed into water soluble functional nanoparticle via ligand exchange or polymer coating approach. In order to demonstrate the application potential, synthesized hydrophobic nanorods have been transformed into water soluble nanorods via polymer coating and used as carrier for cellular delivery of protein. These nanorods/nanowires can be viewed as potential cellular delivery carrier.
Funding Information
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
  • Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology (SB/S1/IC-13/2013)

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