Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are favored for applications in disease diagnosis, imaging, and treatment because they are relatively chemically inert and their surfaces can be easily modified to affect their stability and/or transport desired medicines. As AuNPs advance from research lab to manufacture and use in applications, it is expected that they will be released to the environment, either intentionally or inadvertently. AuNPs capped with four different ligands (citrate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide [CTAB], bovine serum albumin [BSA], and polyvinylpyrrolidone [PVP]) were exposed to various simulated aquatic environments, most prominently solutions of humic acid (a natural organic matter fraction present in most natural aquatic environments) and artificial seawater (ionic strength 0.855 M). A trend of stabilization of the nanoparticles when exposed to humic acid was observed, while the opposite effect was observed when exposed to artificial seawater. Citrate-capped NPs showed the most sensitivity to ionic strength of the solution in which they were suspended. CTAB and citrate-capped NPs were also exposed to variations in temperature (0 C, 40 C) and light (UVA light of wavelengths 320-400 nm and a simulated sun lamp); however, no significant effects were observed. The BSA-capped NPs exhibited aggregation under simulated sunlight conditions.

Gold nanoparticle aggregation: The role of capping agent and aqueous environment

251st National Meeting (2016)

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