Synthesis and characterization of Au-198 nanoparticles for radiotherapy

Abstract

In recent years, rapid progress in nanotechnology has stimulated growing interest in nanoparticle research, particularly in the fight against cancer, a leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are being studied as an alternative to conventional cancer treatments, which, despite their effectiveness, face challenges such as side effects due to low selectivity. This work focuses on the synthesis of AuNPs functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) in both their non-radioactive and radioactive forms and on their physicochemical properties. The AuNPs functionalized with PEG were produced using the adapted Turkevich method, and their physicochemical characteristics were analyzed using Dynamic Light Scattering with Zeta Sizer (DLS), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), assessing the effect of the amount of sodium citrate, as a reducing agent, on the size of the nanoparticles. The results showed a hydrodynamic diameter of 22.62 nanometers, a surface charge of -0.1269 mV, and an average size of 12.12 nm as measured by TEM. The studies were conducted with radioactive gold-198 nanoparticles, and their presence was confirmed by an HPGe detector.