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Synthesis of biologically stable gold nanoparticles using imidazolium-based amino acid ionic liquids

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Abstract

A novel double-step reduction procedure for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) using amino acid ionic liquids has been employed. 1-Dodecyl-3-methyl imidazolium tryptophan ([C12mim]Trp) and 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium tryptophan ([C2mim]Trp) were used for this synthesis. The synthesized AuNPs were characterized by UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering. The behavior of these AuNPs were also probed in a biological media. It was proven that AuNPs synthesized at [C12mim]Trp have more stability than AuNPs synthesized at [C2mim]Trp due to the longer alkyl chain of the imidazolium moiety. The solubility test shows that the resultant AuNPs have a hydrophilic nature. Finally, it was seen that due to the presence of a biomolecule, namely Trp, in the structure of AuNPs protecting shell, higher stability and biocompatibility was achieved in the biological media.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to express their gratitude to Shiraz University research council and Shiraz University nanotechnology research institute for the support of this work.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz, 71454, Fars, Iran

    Afsaneh Safavi & Mahdieh Yazdani

  2. Nanotechnology Research Institute, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran

    Afsaneh Safavi & Sedigheh Zeinali

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  1. Afsaneh Safavi
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  2. Sedigheh Zeinali
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  3. Mahdieh Yazdani
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Correspondence to Afsaneh Safavi.

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Safavi, A., Zeinali, S. & Yazdani, M. Synthesis of biologically stable gold nanoparticles using imidazolium-based amino acid ionic liquids. Amino Acids 43, 1323–1330 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-1205-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00726-011-1205-7

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