How to Resuspend Dried Gold Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Guide

Resuspending dried gold nanoparticles is crucial for restoring their unique properties and ensuring their effectiveness in various applications. This guide provides detailed steps to help you successfully resuspend your dried gold nanoparticles.

Step 1: Select an Appropriate Solvent

  • Deionized Water: Ideal if the nanoparticles were initially suspended in water.
  • Buffer Solutions: Use buffers like phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to maintain optimal pH and ionic strength.
  • Stabilizing Agents: Add agents such as citrate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), or surfactants like Tween 20 to prevent re-aggregation.

Step 2: Add the Solvent to the Dried Nanoparticles

  • Gently introduce the solvent to the container with dried nanoparticles to minimize disturbances and prevent clumping.

A collection of different sized gold nanoparticles and their clear resuspension in water

Resuspending dried gold nanoparticles, showing steps such as selecting solvent, adding solvent to nanoparticles, mixing techniques like stirring and sonication, and verifying the resuspension

Step 3: Gentle Mixing

  • Stirring: Employ a magnetic stirrer at a low speed for even mixing.
  • Vortexing: Briefly vortex to aid in dispersing the particles.
  • Sonication: Use a bath sonicator for a few minutes to break up aggregates with ultrasonic waves.

Step 4: Adjust Concentration Gradually

  • Begin with a small volume of solvent to form a concentrated suspension.
  • Gradually add more solvent while continuously mixing until you reach the desired concentration.

Step 5: Check pH and Ionic Strength

  • Ensure the solution's pH and ionic strength are suitable for nanoparticle stability.
  • Adjust using appropriate buffers or salts if necessary.

Step 6: Avoid Harsh Conditions

  • Refrain from high-speed centrifugation or excessive sonication, as they may damage the nanoparticles.

Step 7: Filter if Necessary

  • If aggregates persist, gently filter the suspension using a membrane filter with an appropriate pore size (e.g., 0.45 µm) to remove larger particles.

Step 8: Verify Resuspension

  • UV-Vis Spectroscopy: Check for a clear plasmon resonance peak to confirm proper dispersion.
  • Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS): Assess particle size distribution for uniformity.

Step 9: Storage

  • Store the resuspended nanoparticles under recommended conditions, such as appropriate temperatures and away from light, to prevent future aggregation.

Notes:

  • Aggregation: If irreversible aggregation has occurred, synthesizing a new batch might be more efficient.
  • Stabilizing Agents: Select agents compatible with your application to avoid interference.

For more information and to explore their products, visit the Nanopartz™ website. Happy researching!

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Copy of A11-80 11H100 80 q10

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