Synthesis and Characterization of Monosodium Urate (MSU) Nano Particles

In Gout the deposition of crystals of Monosodium Urate (MSU) in various connective tissues and joints occurs, which is very painful with immflamation. The deposition likely to begin with nano particles form and expected to grow in to micro-paricles and hence it is important to synthesize and characrterize MSU nano-particles. The MSU nano particles were synthesized by wet chemical method using NaOH and uric acid (C5H4N4O3) and then characterized by powder XRD, TEM, FT-IR and thermal analysis. From the powder XRD the triclinic structure was found and 40 um average particle size was estimated by using Scherrer's formula. From TEM the particle size was found to be in the range of 20 to 60 nm. The FT-IR spectrum for the MSU nano particles confirmed the presence of O-H stretching, N-H stretching, N-H rocking, C = O, C = C Enol or Keto and C = N vibrations. The thermal analysis was carried out from room temperature to 900 degrees C. With comparison to the bulk MSU the thermal stability of MSU nano particles was slightly higher and 1.5 water molecules were found to he associated with MSU nano particles. Present results are compared with the bulk MSU.