Using Size-Exclusion Chromatography to Monitor Variations in the Sizes of Microwave-Irradiated Gold Nanoparticles

Abstract EN

Size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) was used to evaluate gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) for variations in their sizes after microwave (MW) irradiation, with the eluted NPs monitored through diode array detection to reveal their surface plasmon absorptions.

The sizes of citrate-capped Au NPs decreased upon increasing the MW irradiation temperature, consistent with digestive ripening of these NPs under the operating conditions.

In contrast, Au NPs capped with sodium dodecyl sulfate increased in size upon increasing the MW irradiation temperature, consistent with Ostwald ripening.

When the Au NPs were capped with 3A-amino-3A-deoxy-(2AS,3AS)-β-cyclodextrin (H2N-β-CD), however, their dimensions were barely affected by the MW irradiation temperature, confirming that H2N-β-CD is a good stabilizer against MW irradiation.

Therefore, SEC—with its short analysis times, low operating costs, automated operation, and in situ analysis—has great potential for use in the rapid monitoring of NPs subjected to treatment under various MW irradiation conditions.