Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis and Characterization in an Undergraduate Lab

Level of Education of Students Involved

Undergraduate

Faculty Sponsor

Lauren Sestito

College

Engineering

Discipline(s)

Bioengineering

Presentation Type

Poster Presentation

Symposium Date

Spring 4-25-2024

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles are useful for a variety of biomedical purposes and are particularly interesting due to their unique optical properties. Gold nanoparticles have strong absorbance bands between about 500 and 600 nm, and an absorbance peak that varies based on nanoparticle size. The objective of this research is to develop an accessible, cost-effective protocol for gold nanoparticle synthesis and evaluate how changing synthesis parameters impact nanoparticle size and optical properties. The goal is for the protocol to be implemented into an undergraduate lab course, allowing students to explore nanoparticle synthesis and characterization methods. Gold nanoparticles were first synthesized by mixing hydrogen tetrachloroaurate and citrate for 30-60 minutes at boiling. Synthesis parameters like citrate concentration, reaction time, and temperature were varied, and the optical properties of the resulting nanoparticles were monitored using a SpectroVis spectrophotometer. The impact of particle aggregation on optical properties was also investigated. Particle size can also be measured using a Horiba LA960 particle size analyzer, allowing further comparison of measured size to absorbance trends.

Biographical Information about Author(s)

Noah is a junior bioengineering student at Valparaiso University. His research interests include tissue engineering and healthcare.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS