Using Size-Exclusion Chromatography to Monitor the Stabilization of Au Nanoparticles in the Presence of Salt and Organic Solvent

Abstract

This paper reports the use of size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) to assess the size stabilization of Au nanoparticles (NPs) in the presence of salt and organic solvent. In the absence of an adequate stabilizer for the Au NP solution, the presence of salt (NaCl) or an organic solvent (MeOH) resulted in the near disappearance of the signal of the Au NPs in the elution spectra after SEC separation, as a result of the Au NPs forming larger agglomerates under such conditions. In contrast, when the Au NPs were capped with an adequate stabilizer [i.e., 3A-amino-3A-deoxy-(2AS,3AS)-β-cyclodextrin (H2N-β-CD)], the elution time of the signal for the Au NPs and their elution spectra after SEC separation were barely affected by the presence of salt or organic solvent. Thus, H2N-β-CD is a good stabilizer against the coagulation of Au NPs in the presence of salt or organic solvent. In addition, this study confirms that SEC—with its short analysis times, low operating costs, automated operation, and in situ analysis—is highly applicable for the rapid analysis of Au NPs.