New concept of radiolytic synthesis of gold nanoparticles in continuous flow

Radiolytic synthesis has been used to produce a plethora of unsupported and supported metallic nanoparticles in batch. As proof of a new concept, we evaluated the formation of gold nanoparticles by radiolytic synthesis in continuous flow using a millifluidic reactor. A mixture of gold ions solution, branched polyethyleneimine, and ethylene glycol yielded gold nanoparticles with a mean size of 3.4 +/- 1.0 nm after irradiation with an X-ray irradiator (127 Gy/min) at an absorbed dose of 5.1 kGy. The morphology and size distribution of gold nano particles was influenced by AgNO3, where its absence resulted in a mean size of 20.9 +/- 15.8 nm. The radiolytic synthesis of gold nanoparticles in continuous flow was achieved in short reaction times (<60 min), at room temperature, and with low concentrations of both stabilizing and reducing agents. These results demonstrate the potential of radiolytic synthesis in continuous flow for high-throughput formation of metallic nanoparticles with controlled specifications in size and distribution.

Automated summary

Radiolytic synthesis has been successfully used to produce gold nanoparticles in continuous flow, demonstrating the potential for high-throughput formation of metallic nanoparticles under short reaction times, room temperature, and low concentrations of stabilizing and reducing agents.