Reconstitution of 2 nm diameter Silicon Nanoparticles (RM8027) into aqueous solvents

Published

June 3, 2015

Author(s)

Vytautas Reipa

Abstract

NIST recently has released a SiNP reference material RM8027 that consists of five hermetically sealed pre-scored glass ampoules, each containing nominally 1 ml of cyclohexane-stabilized SiNP’s suspended in toluene. The suspension contains particles (monomers) and a small percentage of clusters of primary particles. Biomolecular studies typically necessitate the water-dispersable NP’s. This document describes a procedure of Reference Material 8027 reconstitution into aqueous solvents using UV- assisted hydrosilylation and phase-transfer with triblock copolymer Pluronic F127. Hydrosilylation method allows to exchange of the hydrophobic surface coating with positively (amine) or negatively (carboxyl) charged moieties, rendering SiNP’s water soluble. The triblock copolymer phase transfer results in incorporation of the hydrophobic core into the hydrophobic NP shell, exposing the hydrophilic polyethylene oxide chain resulting in water solubility. Appendix contains reconstituted particle size measurements using dynamic light scattering, surface charge using zeta potential measurements and optical properties (UV-VIS absorbance and photoluminescence).

Citation

Special Publication (NIST SP) - 1200-12

Report Number

1200-12

NIST Pub Series

Special Publication (NIST SP)

Pub Type

NIST Pubs

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DOI Link

Keywords

Silicon nanoparticle, aqueous solvent, hydrosilylation, allylamine, pluronic, acrylic acid

Citation

Reipa, V. (2015), Reconstitution of 2 nm diameter Silicon Nanoparticles (RM8027) into aqueous solvents, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1200-12 (Accessed October 13, 2025)