NanoUV-VIS: An Interactive Visualization Tool for Monitoring the Evolution of Optical Properties of Nanoparticles Throughout Synthesis Reactions

Abstract

Engineered nanoparticles (NPs) are being used for a broad array of high technology applications including sensing, imaging, targeted drug delivery, bio-diagnostics, catalysis, optoelectronics and film growth seeding. The enhanced optical, electrical and catalytic properties of metal NPs are strongly correlated with their size, shape, and structure. As such, physicochemical characterization of NPs is critically important to ensure their effective use and applicability. In this context, Ultraviolet/Visible Spectroscopy (UV/VIS) is one of the most widely used methods for measuring the optical properties and electronic structures of NPs. UV/VIS absorption bands are related to important properties such as the diameter, shape, and polydispersity of metallic and semi- conducting NPs. Thus, this analytical technique is used during NP synthesis to monitor NP formation, assess suspension stability under different conditions and media, and to establish the optical properties of the newly formed nanomaterials. In view of the extensive use of UV/VIS for NP characterization and monitoring of NP formation during synthesis reactions, we have developed NanoUV-VIS, an interactive web application designed for the analysis of multiple UV-VIS absorbance spectra measured as a function of time. Graphical visualizations of the data in 2 dimensions (spectrum plot, contour plot) and 3 dimensions (surface plot) are created by this tool. In addition, the NanoUV-VIS tool evaluates and estimates important parameters related to the absorption bands of NPs, including, maximum optical absorbance, Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) peak and the Full Width at Half Maximum (FWHM) of the UV/VIS spectra. This information is available to download as a table in the software, as well as in the form of interactive plots, where the scientist can compare the behavior of these parameters in order to better interpret the outcomes of the experiment.

The UV-VIS Spectrum Analysis From Silver Nanoparticles Synthesized Using Diospyros maritima Blume. Leaves Extract

“…All solutions had an increase in the FWHM value. The increase in the value of FWHM indicates that there is an increase in the polydisperse rate of AgNPs formed [32]. The increase in the size and polydisperse of AgNPs may occur due to variations in the nucleation process and the nanoparticles' growth rate during synthesis [33].…”

“…Solutions with a ratio of 2.0: 1 predicted to have an AgNPs size of 35-50 when viewed from the smallest λmax value compared to solutions with a ratio of 0.1: 1, 0.2: 1, and 0.5: 1 [27,31,34]. The range of size solution with a ratio of 2.0: 1 is also smaller than the solution with a ratio of 0.1: 1, 0.2: 1 and 0.5: 1 because it has the smallest FWHM [32,34].…”

Novel pathway for the sonochemical synthesis of silver nanoparticles with near-spherical shape and high stability in aqueous media

“…An on-line UV–Vis system, similar to the reported elsewhere 58 , was used to monitor and study the evolution of the optical properties during the sonochemical synthesis reaction of the raw AgNPs (Supplementary Fig. S1 a).…”

“…Optical properties of the purified AgNPs were determined as described elsewhere 58 using the same instrumental conditions and spectrophotometer described in the previous section. For this instance, three subsamples of the purified AgNPs were transferred into 10 mm × 10 mm quartz cells transparent to UV radiation to perform this UV–Vis measurements.…”

“…Statistical packages such as Plotly ® 63 and MASS 64 were used to develop various graphs and statistical analysis in this research. As described above, NanoUV-Vis app 58 was used to process and visualize data from UV–Vis spectrometric measurements of AgNPs. Finally, NIST Consensus Builder web application 42 was used to estimate the consensus value of the particle size and size dispersion of the sub-15 nm AgNPs.…”