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Size-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles and related molecular imaging contrast for computed tomography

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Abstract

The discovery and development of novel contrast agents for CT imaging could address the current limitations of this non-invasive testing technique, thus improving diagnostic efficiency. Although this approach is significant to clinical research, finding a highly potent and biocompatible contrast agent is challenging. In our study, the homogeneous and monodisperse Au nanospheres were successfully synthesized using chemical reduction. The influence of surfactants, oleylamine (OLA) and sodium oleate (SOA); solvent; and reaction time on the materials’ formation, size, and properties was examined to find the optimal conditions. Investigation showed that using OLA and SOA as surfactants resulted in materials with similar morphology and uniformity. The solvent 1-octadecene (ODE) and reaction time in the 30–60-min range facilitated the formation of uniform and monodisperse gold nanoparticles (GNPs). Characterization indicated that the fabricated Au materials were crystalline and spherical with a face-centered cubic (fcc) structure and an average size of 8.4–20.7 nm. Their maximum surface plasmon resonance (SPR) absorbance varied in the range of 516–531 nm. After surface modification by the poly(maleic anhydride-alt-1-octadecene) (PMAO), the Au NPs were highly stable in a aqueous solution with a zeta potential ranging from − 45.6 to − 42 mV, dynamic light scattering (DLS) size of 17.7 and 26.8 corresponding to the sample size of 8.4 nm and 15.5 nm, respectively. In vitro CT imaging results show that the material Au@PMAO enhanced the CT image contrast signals. Particularly, the smaller GNPs exhibited higher X-ray attenuation than the large ones. At the same investigated concentration, the image contrast performance of the Au@PMAO NPs outweighed that of the commercial product Xenetix, which contained iodine. These outstanding properties prove that the Au@PMAO material is a promising alternative for CT imaging techniques.

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Acknowledgements

L. T. Tam is thankful to Vinh University. N. T. N. Linh is grateful to Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen University.

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  1. Faculty of Chemistry, Thai Nguyen University of Sciences, Thai Nguyen University, Tan Thinh Ward, Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam

    Linh Thi Ngoc Nguyen & Hieu Van Vu

  2. Phong Chau Hight School, 14 Hung Son, Lam Thao, Phu Tho, Vietnam

    Hieu Van Vu

  3. School of Chemistry, Biology and Enviroment, Vinh University, 182 Le Duan, Vinh, Vietnam

    Tam The Le

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Nguyen, L.T.N., Van Vu, H. & Le, T.T. Size-controlled synthesis of gold nanoparticles and related molecular imaging contrast for computed tomography. J Nanopart Res 26, 113 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-024-06024-0

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