The Effect of Silica Nanoparticles Stability in Biological Media

The stability and level of aggregation of nanoparticles (NPs) in physiological conditions or different media are important for biomedical applications. The interaction of NPs in different media could affect the physicochemical properties of NPs. In this study, two different sizes of amorphous silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) encapsulated dye were synthesised using the micelle entrapment method. The SiNPs encapsulated dyes suspension was mixed with different concentration of salt solution, NaCl and mouse serum and incubated at 37 degrees C to mimic human body environment to study the interaction of SiNPs encapsulated dyes in physiological conditions. Particles agglomeration or aggregation of SiNPs encapsulated dyes in NaCl solution and mouse serum were investigated and analysed. The absorbance spectra and the stability efficacy were recorded and calculated using UV-Vis spectrometer, while the particle size was measured using Zetasizer particle analysis and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results obtained showed that 53 nm of SiNPs was more stable compared to 30 nm both in NaCl solution and mouse serum.