Synthesis and Characterization of Gold and Gold-Coated Gadolinium Nanoparticles by Alkalide Reduction Method
Open AccessSize and shape have great influence on the physical and chemical properties of nanoparticles. Nanomaterials with tailored size and shape have found applications as catalysis, drug delivery, biosensors, and MRI contrast agents, in data storage, magnetic refrigeration, and nanomedicines. Alkalide reduction is a solution-based method for synthesizing nanomaterials as small as < 1 nm diameter and as large as many 10’s of nm. Recently, air, moisture and acid stable gold-coated gadolinium (Gd@Au) nanoparticles were prepared by alkalide reduction. The synthesis resulted in core-shell nanocrystals with a narrow size distribution. The initial evaluation of the Gd@Au nanocrystals as MRI molecular contrast agents is presented in this thesis. The study includes an evaluation of the degree to which the Au shell protects the Gd core in a strongly acidic environment, the stability of functionalized colloids in aqueous solution and their effect on proton T1 and T2 relaxivity. The results indicate that Gd@Au is an excellent candidate for further testing as a T1 contrast agent, with excellent chemical and colloidal stability and relaxivity properties that are far superior to any other reported contrast agent for molecular MRI.Tuning the size of Gd core could make the Gd@Au nanoparticles more effective MRI contrast agents and allow for additional applications. However, there has been very little research into the control of the size of the nanocrystals that are the product of alkalide reduction. Thus, size control of gold nanoparticles synthesized by alkalide reduction was investigated and the results presented in this thesis.Gold nanocrystals within the size range of 1.71(9) nm to 5.11(69) nm with narrow size distribution (<15%) were prepared by multi-rate addition alkalide reduction method. The detailed results the systematic investigation of the alkalide reduction synthesis of Au nanocrystals with fine size control and narrow size distributions are presented.
- All rights reserved
Notice to Authors
If you are the author of this work and you have any questions about the information on this page, please use the Contact form to get in touch with us.