Standard Operating Procedure for Preparation of Metal Nanoparticles
1) Purpose
This SOP outlines the process for the synthesis of metal nanoparticles, which are widely used in drug delivery, catalysis, and diagnostic applications. The purpose is to ensure consistency and control in the preparation of metal nanoparticles.
2) Scope
This SOP applies to laboratory personnel responsible for the preparation and characterization of metal nanoparticles for various applications.
3) Responsibilities
- Operators: Responsible for accurately preparing metal nanoparticles following this SOP.
- QA: Ensures the nanoparticles meet the required size and quality specifications.
4) Procedure
4.1 Preparation of Metal Salt Solution
4.1.1 Metal Salt Selection
- 4.1.1.1 Select the appropriate metal salt (e.g., silver nitrate, gold chloride) based on the type of nanoparticles to be synthesized.
4.1.2 Solution Preparation
- 4.1.2.1 Dissolve the metal salt in distilled water or a suitable solvent under constant stirring.
4.2 Nanoparticle Formation
4.2.1 Reduction of Metal Ions
- 4.2.1.1 Add a reducing agent (e.g., sodium borohydride, citrate) to the metal salt solution while stirring to initiate the reduction process.
- 4.2.1.2 Continue stirring for 30 minutes to ensure complete reduction of the metal ions.
4.2.2 Particle Stabilization
- 4.2.2.1 Add a stabilizing agent (e.g., PVP or PEG) to prevent nanoparticle aggregation and enhance stability.
4.3 Washing and Purification
4.3.1 Centrifugation
- 4.3.1.1 Centrifuge the nanoparticle solution at 10,000 g to collect the particles and discard the supernatant.
- 4.3.1.2 Wash the particles with distilled water and repeat centrifugation as needed.
4.4 Characterization of Nanoparticles
4.4.1 Particle Size Measurement
- 4.4.1.1 Use dynamic light scattering (DLS) or electron microscopy to measure the particle size and confirm that the nanoparticles meet the desired specifications.
4.5 Storage of Nanoparticles
4.5.1 Storage Conditions
- 4.5.1.1 Store the metal nanoparticles in sealed containers at room temperature or in refrigeration, depending on the stability requirements.
5) Abbreviations, if any
- DLS: Dynamic Light Scattering
- PEG: Polyethylene Glycol
- PVP: Polyvinylpyrrolidone
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 |