Analytical monitoring of selenium nanoparticles green synthesis using photochemical vapor generation coupled with MIP-OES and UV–Vis spectrophotometry

Abstract

Three synthesis routes of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs), using glucose, ascorbic acid and yeast Saccharomyces boulardii, alternatively, as green chemistry reductants for ionic Se, have been successfully monitored using both continuous photochemical vapor generation (PCVG) coupled with MIP-OES and UV–Vis spectrophotometry. PCVG-MIP-OES allows for fast and selective determination of unreacted selenium(IV) oxyanion in the presence of SeNPs and matrix components, enabling accurate calculation of the yield of the SeNPs synthesis. For the analysis, these analyte ions were converted into volatile species by UV irradiation of their aqueous solution in the presence of 15% (v/v) acetic acid. Severe matrix effects were observed from organic matrix components leading to relatively high limit of detection for Se(IV) by PCVG-MIP-OES (0.52 mg L−1). Moreover, both the particle size in the range from 20 to 240 nm and particle number concentration up to 5 × 1017 SeNPs per mL were assessed based on UV–Vis spectra of SeNPs dispersions. The proposed monitoring protocol meets green chemistry requirements and allows for fast and selective determination of the yield of SeNPs synthesis.