The aggregation behavior of silver nanoparticles in lifelike conditions

What is it about?

Aggregation is an often overlooked, albeit very important effect that can influence a number of nanoparticle properties. Aggregation decreases the large specific surface area of nanomaterials that provides their unique characteristics, for example, biological activity. In this work, we demonstrate how the synthesis (and more importantly the stabilization mechanism) of nanoparticles can affect aggregation in biologically relevant conditions that are generally disadvantageous towards colloidal stability. Our results also show that silver nanoparticles synthesized with green tea extract have a strong innate resilience against aggregation and this allows such materials to express their biological activity for an extended period of time even in cases where conventionally prepared particles lose their effect.

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Why is it important?

Nanomedicine is a rapidly evolving scientific field that offers new frontiers for solving modern therapeutic challenges. To date, the overwhelming majority of relevant literature mostly investigates primary nanoparticle effects. However, in order to move basic research towards clinical trials and someday therapy, there are a number of other factors to consider. Our work underlines that the colloidal stability of nanosized agents cannot be overlooked as high aggregation grade can nullify the biological activity of otherwise viable materials.

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