Abstract
It is unclear whether the antimicrobial activities of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are exclusively mediated by the release of silver ions (Ag(+)) or, instead, are due to combined nanoparticle and silver ion effects. Therefore, it is essential to quantify dissolved Ag in nanosilver suspensions for investigations of nanoparticle toxicity. We developed a method to measure dissolved Ag in Ag(+)/AgNPs mixtures by combining aggregation of AgNPs with centrifugation. We also describe the reproducible synthesis of stable, uncoated AgNPs. Uncoated AgNPs were quickly aggregated by 2 mM Ca(2+), forming large clusters that could be sedimented in a low-speed centrifuge. At 20,100g, the sedimentation time of AgNPs was markedly reduced to 30 min due to Ca(2+)-mediated aggregation, confirmed by the measurements of Ag content in supernatants with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. No AgNPs were detected in the supernatant by UV-Vis absorption spectra after centrifuging the aggregates. Our approach provides a convenient and inexpensive way to separate dissolved Ag from AgNPs, avoiding long ultracentrifugation times or Ag(+) adsorption to ultrafiltration membranes.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 259 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Journal of Nanoparticle Research |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 9 |
Early online date | 29 Aug 2016 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2016 |
Keywords
- Silver nanoparticles
- Sedimentation
- Aggregation
- Separation
- Centrifugation
- Nanotoxicology
- Environmental and health effects