Challenges for physical characterization of silver nanoparticles under pristine and environmentally relevant conditions

• DOI: 10.1039/c1em10024f
• Publication Date: 2011-03-18T09:33:34Z
• Authors: Robert I. MacCuspie; Kim Rogers; Manomita Patra; Zhiyong Suo; Andrew J. Allen; Matthew N. Martin; Vincent A. Hackley
• Keywords: Polyvinylpyrrolidone; Characterization; Silver nanoparticle; Natural Organic Matter

The reported size distribution of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) is strongly affected by the underlying measurement method, agglomeration state, and dispersion conditions. A selection AgNP materials with vendor-reported diameters ranging from 1 nm to 100 nm, various distributions, biocompatible capping agents including citrate, starch polyvinylpyrrolidone were studied. AgNPs diluted either deionized water, moderately hard reconstituted or water containing natural organic matter. Rigorous physico-chemical characterization consensus methods protocols where available enables an understanding how method impacts measurements, which in turn provides a more complete state (size, distribution, agglomeration, etc.) respect An approach developing routine screening also presented.