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Updated: Sep 10, 2025
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Gold Nanoparticle Synthesis
Published on: July 10, 2021
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Influence of Raw-Material Processing on Gold and Silver Nanoparticles Stability Using Ultrasound-Extracted
Lucas Cantalovo Pereira1, Gabriel César Resende1, Anderson de J Gomes1
1Laboratory of Photochemistry and Nanobiotechnology, University of Brasília, Brasília, Brazil.
Chemistry & Biodiversity
|August 22, 2025
Summary
Grinding plant extracts before synthesis improves gold and silver nanoparticle stability and properties. This green synthesis method offers a scalable route for nanoparticles in various applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Green Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles offers sustainable alternatives to traditional methods.
- Schinus terebinthifolius extracts contain phytochemicals suitable for nanoparticle formation.
- Ultrasound-assisted synthesis can enhance reaction kinetics and nanoparticle characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of raw material preprocessing on ultrasound-assisted green synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs).
- To characterize the physicochemical properties of AuNPs and AgNPs synthesized from ground sonicated extracts (GSE) versus unprocessed sonicated extracts (USE).
- To evaluate the potential of this scalable green synthesis route for biomedical, catalytic, and food preservation applications.
Main Methods:
- Ultrasound-assisted green synthesis of AuNPs and AgNPs using Schinus terebinthifolius extracts.
- Comparison of ground sonicated extracts (GSE) and unprocessed sonicated extracts (USE).
- Characterization using zeta potential, surface-plasmon resonance (SPR), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM).
Main Results:
- GSE yielded nanoparticles with narrower size distributions and more negative zeta potentials compared to USE.
- USE favored aggregation, particularly at 100°C, with red-shifted SPR indicating larger AuNPs.
- TEM revealed quasi-spherical GSE-derived AgNPs (15-40 nm) and fused dendritic USE-derived assemblies (20-80 nm); AuNPs showed varied morphologies based on temperature.
- Phase-pure fcc structures were confirmed, with evidence of oriented attachment in AgNPs.
Conclusions:
- Extract grinding significantly enhances nucleation control, crystallinity, and colloidal stability of biogenic AuNPs and AgNPs.
- The preprocessing step is crucial for tailoring nanoparticle properties and preventing aggregation.
- This optimized green synthesis provides a scalable and efficient method for producing high-quality nanoparticles.
