In situ ¹⁸F-γ-ray-induced Ag nanoparticle formation in the presence of SiO₂ nanoparticles under air

Abstract

The in situ ¹⁸F-γ-ray irradiation of SiO₂ nanoparticles in an aqueous solution containing Ag⁺ led to the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ aggregates or Ag⁰ nanoparticles in a small volume (0.1 ml) under air. ¹⁸F was used in the form of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose, produced by a cyclotron at our University hospital. The in situ average absorbed dose at the distance of 1 µm in the solution volume (0.1 ml) was calculated to be 12.2 kGy equivalent to a point source of 20 MBq. The SiO₂ nanoparticles had two effects; they enhanced the reduction of Ag⁺ to Ag⁰ aggregates and they acted as reaction sites to prevent aggregation. When Ag⁺ adsorbed on the surface of the SiO₂ nanoparticles, Ag nanoparticles were formed by ¹⁸F γ-rays. The absorption spectra of Ag nanoparticles and Ag⁰ aggregates were markedly different.