Synthesis of Single Nanometer-Sized Au Nanoparticles Coated with Silica Toward X-Ray Contrast Agent

In this study, we proposed a method for fabricating diagnostic imaging nanoparticles composed of Au nanoparticles and silica shells (Au/SiO2). The proposed method consisted of two steps. The first step was the synthesis of Au nanoparticles. In sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution, hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) trihydrate was reduced with tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride to synthesize Au nanoparticles with a diameter of 1.7 ± 0.3 nm. The Au nanoparticles were then coated with silica in the following step. The silica coating was achieved via a sol–gel reaction of tetraethyl orthosilicate in the presence of Au nanoparticles in water/ethanol dissolved in NaOH. The Au/SiO2 nanoparticles degraded faster in saline or phosphate-buffered saline than in water, and the X-ray imaging capability was retained.