Journal Article

PUBDB-2026-01815

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png Pressure-Dependent Diffusion of PEG-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles Probed by X-ray Photon Correlation Spectroscopy

Striker, N.DESY* ; Schulz, F.Extern* ; Krywka, C.Extern*HZG*Hereon* ; Goy, C.DESY* ; Hoevelmann, S. C.Extern* ; Giesselmann, N. C.Extern*DESY* ; Westermeier, F.XFEL.EU*DESY* ; Caupin, F.Extern* ; Paulus, M.Extern* ; Lehmkühler, F. (Corresponding author)XFEL.EU*DESY*

2026
Americal Chemical Society Washington, DC

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Please use a persistent id in citations: doi:10.1021/acs.jpcb.6c03752  doi:10.3204/PUBDB-2026-01815

Abstract: Dynamic properties of nanoparticles under high pressure are poorly understood due to experimental challenges. Here, we use X-ray photon correlation spectroscopy (XPCS) to investigate the diffusion dynamics of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-functionalized gold nanoparticles dispersed in water at pressures up to 6 kbar. Complementary small-angle X-ray scattering reveals no measurable pressure-induced changes in the gold core size, confirming structural stability across the studied pressure range. XPCS measurements show a systematic slowing down of nanoparticle dynamics with increasing pressure, with relaxation rates retaining the expected q$^2$-dependence characteristic of Brownian motion. The extracted diffusion coefficients decrease continuously with pressure and align with predictions based on the pressure-dependent viscosity of water and the Stokes–Einstein relation, assuming a constant hydrodynamic particle size. Within experimental uncertainty, no additional contribution from pressure-induced ligand-shell modifications is observed in these dilute dispersions.

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Contributing Institute(s):

1. Spectroscopy of molecular processes (FS-SMP)
2. Coherent X-ray Scattering (FS-CXS)
3. Experimentebetreuung PETRA III (FS-PET-S)

Research Program(s):

1. 633 - Life Sciences – Building Blocks of Life: Structure and Function (POF4-633) (POF4-633)
2. 6G3 - PETRA III (DESY) (POF4-6G3) (POF4-6G3)
3. DFG project G:(GEPRIS)533771286 - EXC 3120: BlueMat: Wassergesteuerte Materialien (533771286) (533771286)
4. FS-Proposal: I-20221104 EC (I-20221104-EC) (I-20221104-EC)

Experiment(s):

1. PETRA Beamline P10 (PETRA III)

Appears in the scientific report 2026

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Database coverage:
; ; ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Physical, Chemical and Earth Sciences ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF < 5 ; JCR ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection

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