Name: LUIS ALBERTO CONTRERAS ALVAREZ
Type: MSc dissertation
Publication date: 15/02/2018
Advisor:
Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| MARCO CESAR CUNEGUNDES GUIMARÃES | Advisor * |
Examining board:
| Name |
Role |
|---|---|
| ANDRÉ ROMERO DA SILVA | Internal Examiner * |
| JAIRO PINTO DE OLIVEIRA | Co advisor * |
| JOSIMAR RIBEIRO | External Examiner * |
| MARCO CESAR CUNEGUNDES GUIMARÃES | Advisor * |
Summary: The synthesis of metal nanoparticles using plant extracts and biomolecules as reducing agents has gained considerable space in recent literature. However, the low reproducibility and difficulty in controlling the size, shape and stability have hampered the large-scale production of these nanomaterials, and consequently their applications. This work proposes a methodology using factorial design to determine the best reaction conditions for the synthesis of monodispersed and stable gold nanoparticles. The lyophilized Virola oleifera resin was used as the reducing agent model. The nanomaterials synthesized were characterized by different techniques, such as: UV-Vis spectroscopy, Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction, Zeta potential and Dynamic light scattering. The metal surface was investigated using Infrared and Raman scattering. Antioxidant activity and cytotoxicity were also evaluated for possible applications in biological systems. The results indicated that the experimental design used provided processes for the synthesis of nanomaterials with size control, monodisperse and stable. The obtained nanoparticles have antioxidant activity and low cytotoxicity as a function of pH.
Keywords: Factorial design, Green synthesis, Nanoparticles, Virola oleifera.
