Gold nanoparticles obtained by aqueous digestive ripening: Their application as X-ray contrast agents

• A protocol to synthesize large quantities of size-controlled PEGylated AuNPs is described.
• PEGylated AuNPs have been obtained by combining MVS technique with digestive ripening process.
• PEGylated AuNPs were effectively used as CT contrast agents for in vivo experiments on mice.
• PEGylated AuNPs showed efficient renal clearance, prolonged blood circulation and stealthness.

A preparative protocol to synthesize large quantities of size-controlled gold nanoparticles (Au NPs), stabilized by CH3O-PEG5000-SH (PEG-SH) in aqueous medium, is reported. The combination of metal vapor synthesis (MVS) technique with digestive ripening process allowed to obtain PEGylated Au NPs with mean core particle size of 3.8 nm and hydrodynamic diameters centered at 8.0 nm which were effectively used as computed tomography (CT) contrast agents for in vivo experiments on mice. The surface functionalization together with the small hydrodynamic diameters of the engineered Au nanoparticles permitted their efficient renal clearance, still retaining a prolonged blood circulation and a stealth capability.

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