Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy for the Characterization of Gold Nanoparticles Embedded into a Polymeric Matrix and its Promissory Application in Nanomedicine

In this work, we report for the first time a morphological study of gold nanoparticles embedded on a polymeric matrix using Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy (AFAM). The polymer based-gold nanoparticles were prepared by a green... [ view full abstract ]

In this work, we report for the first time a morphological study of gold nanoparticles embedded on a polymeric matrix using Atomic Force Acoustic Microscopy (AFAM). The polymer based-gold nanoparticles were prepared by a green approach using biomass from macroseaweed, as a mixture of reducing agents containing not only water soluble polysaccharides but also phytoactive compounds. It was demonstrated that AFM in the acoustic mode is a powerful tool that allows obtain conclusive information about the morphology of a natural polymer acting not only as a reducing agent but also as stabilizing agent for the gold nanoparticles. The formation of gold nanoparticles was monitored by UV-Vis spectroscopy and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirming the presence of monodisperse and isotropic nanostructures. Finally, the hemolytic activity of the gold nanoparticles embedded into the polymeric matrix was tested in order to compare their intrinsic cytotoxicity with those ones prepared using the well-known inorganic reducing agent, sodium citrate (SC). The obtained results strongly suggest that these eco-friendly gold nanoparticles could be used on human cells due its less toxicity which expand their use on nanomedicine.

Acknowledgements: Financial support for this work was provided by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research Project FA9550-12-1-0367 and Proyecto Núcleo UNAB DI-622-14N.