Improving reproducibility between batches of silver nanoparticles using an experimental design approach

NÚÑEZ, RODRIGO NICOLÁS; VEGLIA, ALICIA VIVIANA; PACIONI, NATALIA LORENA

MICROCHEMICAL JOURNAL

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2018 vol. 141 p. 110 - 117

0026-265X

An optimized method for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) using gallic acid as reductant was achievedusing design of experiment strategies based on response surface methodologies. Fractional Factorial Design wasused in the screening stage, the Box-Behnken method was employed to model the target responses and finally,the optimization step was done using Desirability function. The obtained AgNP presented improved repetitivityand reproducibility of photophysical properties between batches compared to the synthesis method reported inliterature. Intra-assays, intermediate precision and reproducibility tests were performed and proved the differentAgNP batches presented equal optical responses, average size and size distribution at a 95% confidence level.In addition, a test on shelf life estimated the optimized AgNP preserve their properties at least for 38days andespecially, zeta potential measurements indicated their low tendency to flocculation as long as 120days. Furthermore, a remarkable improvement in obtaining reproducible Stern-Volmer constants in fluorescence quenching experiments using Carbazole as fluorophore was observed compared to nanoparticles synthesized by a non-optimal method.