Abstract
The modification of tantalum oxide (Ta(2)O(5)) nanoparticles (NPs) with biocompatible polymers is crucial for their biomedical use. Such modification can prolong NP circulation in the bloodstream by minimizing salt-induced aggregation and reducing nonspecific protein adsorption onto their surface. Understanding the features of polymer-NP interactions is a key issue in the fabrication of nanostructures with required characteristics. The present work aims to provide a comprehensive comparative study of bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption on bare and polydopamine (PDA)-coated Ta(2)O(5) NPs. The synthesized NPs were characterized via transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements. Fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopy were also employed for the first-time investigation of the interactions of Ta(2)O(5) NPs and Ta(2)O(5)@PDA NPs with BSA. The results obtained show that PDA coating significantly enhances the protein-binding affinity. Time-resolved measurements revealed signatures of Förster resonance energy transfer, confirming complex formation between NPs and BSA. Moreover, colloidal stability tests in phosphate-buffered saline indicated that the presence of adsorbed BSA improves the dispersion stability of bare and PDA-coated Ta(2)O(5) NPs. These findings advance the understanding of protein-NP interactions and highlight the potential of PDA coatings for designing stable and functional nanostructures for biomedical applications.