Analytical Methods for Monitoring the Degradation of Plasmonic Nanoparticles in Solution: An Instrumental Analysis Laboratory Exercise

摘要

Nanoparticles are an increasingly important tool in chemistry research, but currently there are few opportunities for chemistry students to work with nanoparticles in undergraduate analytical courses. In this exercise, designed for an analytical or instrumental analysis lab course, students have the opportunity to work with solutions of silver nanoparticles and analyze them with two instrumental techniques. UV-vis spectrophotometry is utilized to monitor the optical behavior of silver nanoparticles over the course of the experiment. ICP-OES analysis determines the concentration of total silver species present in solution based on storage conditions. This exercise also introduces students to the concept of localized surface plasmon resonance and its role in producing the vivid colors often associated with plasmonic nanoparticles embedded in stained glass.