Standard Operating Procedure for Preparation of Metal Nanoparticles
1) Purpose
This SOP describes the process for preparing metal nanoparticles, such as gold, silver, and iron oxide nanoparticles, for various applications, including drug delivery, catalysis, and biomedical imaging.
2) Scope
This SOP applies to all laboratory personnel involved in the synthesis and preparation of metal nanoparticles.
3) Responsibilities
- Operators: Responsible for following the SOP to prepare metal nanoparticles accurately and safely.
- QA: Ensures compliance with the preparation protocols and verifies the quality of the metal nanoparticles.
4) Procedure
4.1 Preparation of Metal Salt Solution
4.1.1 Selection of Metal Salt
- 4.1.1.1 Select a metal salt (e.g., gold chloride, silver nitrate) based on the desired metal nanoparticle.
- 4.1.1.2 Dissolve the metal salt in distilled water or another suitable solvent under gentle stirring.
4.2 Reduction Process
4.2.1 Reduction Using Chemical Reducing Agents
- 4.2.1.1 Add a reducing agent (e.g., sodium citrate, sodium borohydride) to the metal salt solution under constant stirring.
- 4.2.1.2 Continue stirring the solution until the reaction is complete and nanoparticles are formed, as indicated by a color change (e.g., gold nanoparticles produce a red/pink color).
4.2.2 Thermal or Photochemical Reduction
- 4.2.2.1 Alternatively, perform a thermal or photochemical reduction by exposing the metal salt solution to heat or UV light, leading to nanoparticle formation.
4.3 Stabilization of Nanoparticles
4.3.1 Use of Capping Agents
- 4.3.1.1 To stabilize the metal nanoparticles, add a capping agent (e.g., polyvinyl alcohol, thiols) to the solution.
- 4.3.1.2 Stir the solution to ensure the capping agent uniformly coats the nanoparticles.
4.4 Washing and Purification
4.4.1 Centrifugation
- 4.4.1.1 Centrifuge the metal nanoparticles to collect them and remove excess salts or reagents.
- 4.4.1.2 Wash the nanoparticles by resuspending them in distilled water and repeating the centrifugation process.
4.5 Characterization
4.5.1 UV-Vis Spectroscopy
- 4.5.1.1 Use UV-Vis spectroscopy to monitor the optical properties of the metal nanoparticles, confirming their formation and size.
4.6 Storage
4.6.1 Storage Conditions
- 4.6.1.1 Store the metal nanoparticles in sterile containers at 4°C or at room temperature, depending on their stability.
5) Abbreviations, if any
- UV-Vis: Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy
- QA: Quality Assurance
6) Documents, if any
- Metal Nanoparticle Synthesis Logbook
7) References, if any
- Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for metal salts and reagents
8) SOP Version
Version 1.0
Annexure
Metal Nanoparticle Synthesis Logbook Template
| Date | Batch Number | Metal Type | Reduction Method | Particle Size | Operator Initials | QA Initials |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DD/MM/YYYY | Batch Number | Metal (e.g., Gold, Silver) | Reduction Method Used (e.g., Chemical, Photochemical) | Size in nm | Operator Name | QA Name |
