This document describes a protocol for size analysis of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles using electrospray differential mobility analysis (ES-DMA).  The procedures and parameters as defined in this protocol are appropriate for particles in the range from 5 nm to about 400 nm. Nanoparticles are centrifuged to remove excess citrate stabilizer and are re-suspended in ammonium acetate solution for ES-DMA analysis.  A number average diameter is calculated from particle mobility measurements.  NIST reference materials 8011, 8012 and 8013 (nominally 10 nm, 30 nm and 60 nm, respectively) were used to develop and demonstrate the assay; modification of protocol parameters may be necessary to optimize the methodology for specific gold nanoparticle formulations other than the reference materials used here. The assay requires 900 mL of nanoparticle solution of the following concentrations:  » 10 nm particles at [» 5 ´ 10¹² particles/mL], » 30 nm particles at [» 2 ´ 10¹¹ particles/mL], and » 60 nm particles at [» 3 ´ 10¹⁰ particles/mL]. In any case, the particle number concentration of the test sample should not exceed » 2 ´ 10¹³ particles/mL for citrate-stabilized gold.

• NCL_Method_PCC-10.pdf(PDF | 358 KB)

Researchers should cite this work as follows:

• Pease, L., Tsai, D., Zangmeister, R., Zachariah, M., Tarlov, M. (2020). NIST - NCL Joint Assay Protocol, PCC-10. NCI Hub. doi:10.17917/0QDS-ZT72

  BibTex | EndNote

1. ES-DMA