Colloid Thin-Layer Chromatography: A Tool for Gold Sols Validation before Used in Application

Abstract

Gold nanoparticles have been increasingly used in catalysis, biomedical imaging, biological and chemical sensing, drug delivery, etc. In this study, a straightforward method that allows one to monitor the synthesis of gold sols and their aging, before their fine characterization by sophisticated techniques and before their use is described. Indeed, the “Colloid Thin-Layer Chromatography” method allows one to check the quality of gold colloidal sols during the synthesis. It is also well adapted for monitoring the aging of the sol before the visual observation of its degradation.